LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – On the third day of her extortion trial, Karen Sypher told reporters "I feel fabulous [...] I can't wait for my turn.” Coach Rick Pitino walked into court and talked about a sexual encounter that would otherwise be private, but because of Karen Sypher's alleged extortion attempt, it's very public.
He described what he called a consensual sexual encounter seven years ago in a booth at Porcini restaurant. He says he was ready to leave but, but Sypher pulled him into a booth and unzipped his pants. Pitino says she warned him she was 'very fertile' and he says "I got very scared at that point [...] our encounter lasted less than 15 seconds."
He told jurors she drove him to his house in Mockingbird Valley, he gave her a business card and she asked him for basketball tickets. Three weeks later, he says, she called him, saying she was pregnant. A little later she said that she was considering an abortion.
He says he had all but forgotten the encounter until February 2009, when he received a voice mail from a man referencing the sexual encounter. Then Pitino says he and Sypher arranged to meet. Sypher secretly recorded that meeting.
In a 43 minute audiotape Pitino asked Sypher if she told anyone about their sexual encounter at Porcini and another encounter at her condo:
Pitino: "He's telling me what's going on. He's saying, 'why did you do that to that girl?'"
Sypher: "Did he ask for something? Money?"
Pitino: "No, he's going to. That's the next phone call."
Sypher told Pitino she didn't tell anyone about their encounter and didn't know who was calling him. She kept talking about the abortion she says she had for him. "I lay my head down and pray to God that I don't go to hell," said Sypher.
Later, Sypher’s then-husband, Tim Sypher, delivered a handwritten, signed note from her asking Pitino to pay for her children's college education, a car for her and her son, a house of her choice, $3000 a month in cash, and should he ever leave the University of Louisville, she wanted $75,000.
In return, she says she'll protect his name for life.
Pitino told jurors Wednesday, "Ignorance on my part led up to it […] I'm a married man and I should never put myself in that situation. It was a mistake on my part I embarrassed my family and the university."
Sypher says Pitino's testimony didn't faze her. She says "I'm stronger today [...] I can't wait for my turn."
