That Crazy Extortionist Karen Cunagin Sypher

BY: March Hare Published: July 28, 2010

WASHINGTON (Politically Illustrated) – Who is Karen Cunagin Sypher? Karen Cunagin Sypher, the wife of University of Louisville equipment manager Tim Sypher, was arraigned and charged in U.S. District Court with extortion and lying to federal agents.

She allegedly asked for millions of dollars to keep quiet about her affair with University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.

Mr. Pitino testified Wednesday that he met Mrs. Sypher on July 31, 2003, at the restaurant where he’d gone following a golf outing.

He said he bought Mrs. Sypher a drink and the two exchanged small talk, where she whispered something in his ear, opened his pants and the two had sex “very briefly.”

“Unfortunate things happen,” said Mr. Pitino.

Mrs. Sypher has pleaded not guilty, claiming Mr. Pitino sexually assaulted her at the restaurant. Police and prosecutors have said her assault claim lacked merit.

TIm Coury, the owner of the Italian restaurant where Mr. Pitino and Mrs. Sypher met, confirmed Mr. Pitino’s story.

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