ESPN Report Clairifies Sypher vs. Pitino -- Somewhat
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 7:33 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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PrintESPN.com is reporting several new things in the suddenly breaking story of Rick Pitino's alleged extortion by a woman reported to be Karen Sypher, estranged wife of the Louisville basketball program equipment manager.
The new revelations are essentially as follows:
- It appears that the threats Sypher was allegedly making were "personal in nature" and "not related to his recruiting or coaching." This was attributed to Candice Clifft of WDRB-Fox 41 here in Louisville, the news reporter to whom Sypher revealed her side of the story.
- It appears Sypher conducted a long interview with Clifft, after which she was reportedly given a lie detector test, the results of which were considered "inconclusive."
- Clifft told ESPN that there are currently "no plans to air the interview."
- The Baltimore Sun reports that the allegations by Sypher involve "sexual misconduct," although I can't find their source for that anywhere on a cursory search. But it would seem to jibe with the "personal in nature" characterization of Candice Clifft.
At this point in time, that's all anyone has been willing to say. It looks like WDRB is going to sit on this story until they can get some kind of corroboration, which I think is commendable.
These articles also would seem to explain why the FBI is involved rather than local or state law enforcement. According to the ESPN article, Pitino received threatening calls in late February, allegedly from Sypher and possibly even other accomplices, and the calls continued during the Big East and NCAA tournaments. The use of the telephone lines, mail, or other instruments of interstate commerce would seem to place the alleged crime into the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Sometime in March, Pitino alerted the FBI to the situation. According to the Baltimore Sun's sources, millions of dollars were involved in the alleged extortionate threats. Richard Pitino, who recently was hired by Billy Donovan as an assistant in Florida, denies that the alleged criminal activity surrounding his father had anything to do with him leaving Louisville to go to Florida.
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No offense to ASOB, but...
I didn’t realize this site was used to air UofLs dirty laundry? I can see how UK fans would have an interest, being that Pitino was once our coach, but running alleged criminal activity as a headline? I’m no UofL fan either. Maybe I’m wrong Tru, but that was my first impression.
This is a major story involving UK's biggest rival. Yeah, I'd say that deserves front page treatment.
Plus, there is a huge interest in this story among UK fans.
But do I like writing and talking about U of L? Not really, but this can’t be escaped.
Well ...
… it’s the biggest news out there right now, and there has been a lot of unfounded innuendo and speculation. We could ignore the story, I suppose, but seeing as that Pitino is a major part of our basketball tradition, even if he isn’t our current coach, it seems wise for us to cover it.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Several reason why this is front page on ASOB...
1. It’s Pitino, an ex-UK coach
2. It’s Loserville, our #1 hated rival
3. It’s A very intriguing story that involves sex, lies and (hopefully) videos….
4. It’s a state school
5. It’s Loserville, our #1 hated rival, (ya’ know, kick them while they’re down?)
Honestly, why I find this story fascinating, I feel that if it were a “positive” story on Ricky P., we UK fans would care less…
6. It’s Loserville, ’nuff said… :-}
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Um
3. It’s A very intriguing story that involves sex, lies and (hopefully) videos….
You want to see Pitino naked?
Envy our past......Fear our future
lol...
…NO… That was a play on words from a movie… like you said, just a little humor… I thought it was obvious, sorry…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
I know
I was joking with you.
My jokes must not be very obvious today…..
Envy our past......Fear our future
no worries...
…The thing to remember is, in the end, the joke is going to be on Pitino & Loserville, and that’s all tha matters…!
lol ;-) :-}
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
If her allegations are false...
…she’ll be getting paid in cigarettes for favors in the yard…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Heh.
Very true. Even if they are exactly true, though, she’ll probably get paid the same way. The threat is the crime, and the truth or falsity of the alleged activity that enabled the threat is relevant only in an additional charge of fraud. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
yes sir...
…I posted yesterday that both parties were perpetrators & victims, and neither will ever be the same after the dust settles…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
A Sea of Blue ...
nearly tripled the average number of “hits” for a Sunday, and nearly doubled Saturdays number of “hits.”
And you have proof of that?
Seriously, we don’t need this here. Pitino has long been a subject of the rumor mill, but lets stick to facts and not unfounded innuendo.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
If he grows the
goatee Ken he’s a shoein for an impersonator’s job….lol….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Oh, my!
That one almost precipitated a nose-coffee episode. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
funny thought...
…Rick drives the FBI over to Karen Syphers house, knocks on the door, Karen answers, Rick says, “Say hello to my little friends”…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
This does deserve front page
treatment….if we are going to operate (somewhat) as a news service for the fans, then this gets covered. Actually the story here is the criminal activity, unfortunately you cannot discuss one without the other. Now if there is a morals clause in that contract, then it gets even bigger. I do have one burning question though.
Who is held to a higher moral standard, the player or the coach?….If this were a player this was happening to would we be treating it any different?
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Well ...
… so far, there have been no credible allegations of moral turpitude by Pitino. As of the moment, Sypher’s claims appear to be too tenuous even to report.
On the other hand, if Sypher did in fact call and try to extort money from Pitino, that form of moral turpitude, particularly with accomplices, is potentially has another name — “Racketeer-Influenced Corrupt Organization,” sometimes colloquially referred to as RICO.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
you really think this might get
ramped up to a RICO charge?…I never even let that thought enter in….so I’ll ask this then, even if he is cleared of any moral ambiguities, does Pitino survive this and come out intact as before it happened?
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Saw somewhere
That the Atlanta Hawks are going to go hard after him.
Envy our past......Fear our future
hawks
The Hawks dont know who they are going to go after hard. The muddled ownership situation is the only reason the current coach has kept his job for the last two seasons. I cant really figure that one out either becuase he has been doing a pretty decent job.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
I don't know anything about the Hawks' ownership, but ...
… one would think that the first coach to take them to the playoffs in an eon would be secure in his position.
They have a very good YOUNG team.
Thats what I would think
The ownership is split and there is not clear hand guiding the ship. They have been looking for a coach for the last two years but IMO the current one is doing a pretty good job with a young team.
They took the Celts to 7 games last season and judging from last night seem like they are going to steamroll through the Heat in the first round this season.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Answers.
To your first question: It could. Here’s why:
- To me, this looks for all the world like a Hobbs Act violation, if we are talking extortion.
- There are surely multiple fraud charges here if her allegations are actually false, either mail fraud or wire fraud, whichever statute covers this case.
- All the above are predicates offenses which can give rise to a federal RICO prosecution.
- The involvement of multiple people makes this more likely.
To your second question — marital infidelity, if that turns out to be true, is rarely fatal to a coach. Will it harm his reputation? To the extent that some people believed him faithful before, yes, but nothing that fielding championship quality teams won’t cure.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
About the only thing that will happen
is that Spitino gets some street cred with the recruits.
“Crazy bi*#$es won’t leave me alone! Now you gonna sign this LOI or what?”
Not to get into a legal debate here
But what is the “organization” that would give rise to the RICO charge? By which I mean Pitino (and, perhaps, very tendentiously, UL) is the target of the (alleged) extortion, made by a private individual. So what organization is being corrupted by illegal acts? If it were the other way around (UL trying to destroy some private woman’s reputation), I can maybe see the logic, but I just don’t follow it here. What am I missing?
The King is dead! Long live the King!
Well ...
… there appears to be multiple people involved. The RICO title is somewhat misleading the way the law is currently applied. Essentially, anytime you have a conspiracy of individuals acting together with the requisite predicate crimes, RICO can be alleged. In cases like this, it is often dropped after a plea agreement, but the indictment will sometimes allege RICO as a means of putting on more heat.
That’s just what I have seen in the past.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
A crime doesn't even have to be committed...
A loosely associated group of people sitting around discussing potential criminal acts is enough for RICO these days.
Heh.
… seems that way, doesn’t it. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
True, I was just trying to figure out who that "group" was
I thought she was acting alone; apparently, I am mistaken (all allegedly, of course).
The King is dead! Long live the King!
Let me get some thoughts
I posted last night on another thread —
If the FBI has been investigating for a month, why no arrests? I’m not a cop, never been a cop, but I do watch cop shows on TV, and it seems to me that a month is plenty of time to put together a case against this woman, if one indeed exists.
I can’t believe no one has come out with audio/video, or a letter, or something.
It’s all very puzzling to me.
Maybe that's why there hasn't been a hard push
by the media Ken…..no video or audio….or written word , combined with her “inconclusive” lie detector test…..???
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
No.
Take it from a guy who knows. These investigations take a long time, especially if they are done before a grand jury. The feds are very thorough, and the alleged involvement of more than Syhper will make them suspect some kind of conspiracy.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yep.
Not the target, mind you, but involved as a witness. Seven years of my life. Ugly, ugly. But interesting.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Indeed.
Me too. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep.
Ken, your cop shows fail you. It takes much longer than a month to put together a good case. Much longer.
Have you watched “The Wire”? If not, you should stop watching all of those other pretenders and pick up the DVDs.
by BBallSophist on Apr 20, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Re: BBallSophist
Well, the “cop show” reference was meant as a joke.
“The Wire” — I’ll check it out.,
It's good. Really good.
You just have to watch it from the beginning; preferably more than 2 episodes.
by BBallSophist on Apr 20, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
FBI
Hopefully they learned their lesson after the whole Richard Jewell/Atlanta Olympic Park bombing back in ’96. That was a major black-eye for the FBI.
You make a good point — If they feel a conspiracy was afoot, that would explain why the investigation is taking longer to conduct.
On a lighter note
this has to end soon so Pacino wont be too old to play Pitino in the movie!!!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
You want to play rough? Ok...
Ok, I’ll stop….I have work to do anyway….
Envy our past......Fear our future
Andy's the Man
All this talk about Al Pacino is fine, but Andy Garcia should play the lead role in the Rick Pitino Story.
Question for the panal...
…if Ricky steps down because of all this…
Would UofL go after Ford or Phelphy, and, would either take the job…?
I would guess that John would stay loyal to UK, but Travis would make the move… JMO…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
I don't see Pitino ...
… going anywhere unless he is somehow criminally liable. An affair, even if proven, would not fatally damage his reputation.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
curious choice
i regularly check this site b/c i think it truly provides a home ‘for the discerning fan.’ but not so much today. louisville’s on-court success in the regular season and post-season barely generated any mention here (even when covering all sorts of ‘other’ b.ball news). i’m not necessarily saying that should have been covered – but if pitino’s success then didn’t warrant discussion then neither does this. if the logic is ‘pitino is part of our history and his current doings deserve coverage,’ then this should be applied more evenly throughout the season in my opinion.
incorrect...
…This is the biggest college basketball story in the country, (at the moment), and certainly the biggest in the state of Kentucky…
ASOB has always been fair in it’s coverage and continues to be, but this is news… Like it or not, (I get the feeling that you do not), I fully support ASOB’s coverage…
The curious choice would be why someone would join a blog just to tell the owner how he/she should run it… Very curious indeed…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
i like this blog, read it regularly (even though i don’t comment), and think the editors do a very fine job. i made the post b/c i see today’s pitino content as a deviation from what is generally a very elevated discussion of UK b.ball.
if the story warrants front page attention b/c it is “the biggest college basketball story in the country, (at the moment), and certainly the biggest in the state of Kentucky…”, then surely pitino’s picture should have been on the front page when louisville was the overall #1 seed a few weeks back. i’m not sure how you can argue for one without the other.
lol
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Apr 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
We were dealing with a potential coaching change...
at the most storied program in college basketball history. And when that change was made, it overshadowed even the Final 4. Your agrument has no merit.
Re: mthall
You are asking a very valid question.
The answer is “interest.” UK fans don’t generally have an interest in how well U of L does on the BB court, or they at least have very little interest in reading about it on a “UK blog.”
Conversely, the interest in this story is through the roof. As I noted waaay above, our site “hits” yesterday (Sunday) were nearly triple what they are on an average Sunday. And the number of comments by the members seems to indicate a very high interest in the story. Ergo, we will “cover” the sordid story until it is concluded.
ASOB's coverage
has been more than responsible in dealing with this story. Tru and Ken (whoever posted this story) have tried to post only the facts as we know them and report only what other media sources are saying not contributing to rumors themselves.
Vince is correct that this is the biggest story in college ball right now and I cant imagine a place as dedicated to college ball as this one is not mentioning it.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Your opinion is duly noted.
Thank you.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought we talk about
L’ville too much if you ask me….lol…by the way….is EVERYBODY on here a lawyer?…I have never seen so many well informed legal opinions….any of you available pro bono
Let Tru and Ken do their jobs and report this stuff….let us little people make our snide comments….its what we do best….and why THEY run the blog….I have seen them all over the last 5 years….this is the most even handed, multiple point of view site out there….if you dont believe it, check out the “discussion” Tru and I have been having on my last post….he has not once been anything but professional
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
additionally,
ASOB is not going to spend time and energy discussing L’ville’s “normal” events such as the run through the tourney; however, this is definitely abnormal and generates a heightened interest.
Disagree
Cards and Pitino get a fair shake on this site for the most part. This is a Wildcat site.
law
i’ve heard several people commending wdrb for holding back on airing their interview thus far. i would like to point out that theyre not doing so to be nice; airing the allegations without proof would land them a big fat defamation suit, which they would certainly lose. it’s not the same as running with unsubstantiated recruiting rumors or coaching changes. If the comments are salacious in nature and cause harm to a person’s reputation, a media outlet (or any reporting entity) has the responsibility of proving the allegations true or false, and then reporting it as such. In other words, WDRB is holding back out of necessity, not courtesy. If her allegations are unprovable either way and neither side admits its lying, we’ll probably never hear a credible news outlet report what her claims are.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
Well ...
… Rick Pitino meets the definition of a public figure, and in order to claim defamation, they would have to prove actual malice. WDRB deserves credit for sitting on this interview pending some confirmation.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
acual malice
includes acting in reckless disregard to the truth. if there is absolutely no proof that the allegation is true, and indeed karen sypher didn’t even conclusively pass her lie-detector test, then running the piece would be acting in reckless disregard to the truth. I guarantee you theyre covering their ass, not acting out of courtesy to pitino.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
Lie detector tests...
are not entered into evidence in a court of law for a reason. I am not saying any allegations made by Ms. Sypher are true, I’m just saying that an inconclusive lie detector test does not indicate otherwise.
but it gives WDRB reasonable doubt that she's lying
which is enough to keep them from running the story without doing more investigation.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
Does it matter to WDRB if the defendant...
in a murder case says he/she is innocent? How about child molestation case? Not relevant? How about a rape case? Take a look at how the media handled the Paul Patton situation is you want to know how these things usually go.
no, it doesnt matter
it’s completely irrelevant to a defamation of character suit. that’s my point. Defamation is a totally different beast than most of the stuff covered by the media. That’s why this deserves special consideration.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
Boobs....every time I try to
comment on what you say that icon of yours keeps getting in the way…..!!!! I have lost my train of thought more than once trying to follow your posts….you arent some foreign country trying to infiltrate UK basketball using subterfuge and distraction techniques are you??
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I think the concern here jbt
is that DRB does NOT want to go out on that limb alone…..no one else seems to be willing to go there so they are using extra caution. Whether or not it is for a valid reason, this woman seems to be having credibility issues. This may be the end result of spin by the other party, the university, or someone else….but it is still working against her, guilty or not
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
As far as I know...
no other media outlet has a taped interview with Ms. Sypher. And everything you guys are saying here just backs up my point about only knowing his side of the story initially.
Yes, he may be the victim of an extortion. But he may not be. That is still to be determined.
She may be the victim of some kind of sordid sex tale. She may not be. None of that can be determined until her side is aired.
You folks are demonstrating exactly the kind of perceptions I am talking about. You are now talking like Pitino is the ONLY victim in all of this simply because he referred this thing to the FBI. And the only thing that really means is he doesn’t feel like he has any criminal liability in this matter and perhaps she does.
Let’s not judge her and give him a free pass simply because he issued a statement saying he was a victim.
WDRB could have run with this story at almost no peril. Proving actual malice or recklessness would be an insurmountable legal bar given what I know about the case so far.
They are at no legal peril. So why not release it? Is it the Bill Clinton “Nobody cares about sex” argument resurrected? Is it the “we don’t want to soil a good man” argument?
Rick Pitino is not the victim of anything unless a court of law finds this woman guilty of some crime. Let’s not confuse things by taking the bait his statement dangled in front of us because thaiwas exactly the response his camp was hoping for when they drafted it.
actually jbt
I take your side here…..I do not agree with the way it is being perceived, but “it is what it is” to quote a friend….this is a David vs.Goliath situation. However, her attorney stated that he was aware that there may be criminal charges…that automatically puts his client at a disadvantage in the eyes of the public.
I think what the others are saying, and I am taking some liberites here, is that they do not want to see someone’s reputation ruined by unsubstantiated allegations. I will add, that the door should swing both ways, but the investigation is going in her direction. Admittedly at Pitino’s request, but it is going in her direction. Thats really all there is to it until something is proved one way or the other. No “little person” ever gets a fair shake against a celebrity unless they are holding the smoking gun. If you don’t believe that, ask the families surrounding the case of OJ Simpson. I’ll guarantee you they will tell you the same thing.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Sorry, forgot to close quote.
WDRB could have run with this story at almost no peril. Proving actual malice or recklessness would be an insurmountable legal bar given what I know about the case so far.
That is all of the quote. The last two paragraphs are all me.
Photos now surfacing
at another site arent oging to help either jbt…if this is a case of the spin doctors working overtime they are earning their money….
http://new.kentuckysportsradio.com/
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
True ...
… however, in the case of a first-person report from a witness who’s veracity is not in doubt, there could be no such charge. But perhaps there is some doubt as to here veracity, I don’t know. An inconclusive lie detector test would not tend to prove she was incredible, so I doubt that’s an issue.
WDRB could have run with this story at almost no peril. Proving actual malice or recklessness would be an insurmountable legal bar given what I know about the case so far.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
"Proving actual malice or recklessness would be an insurmountable legal bar given what I know about the case so far"
But, in all fairness, you don’t know anything about the case. The only people who know what went on in the TV interview are Sypher and WDRB. And if the station has doubts as to the veracity of her claims, they MUST hold back on airing them, again, not out of fairness, but because if Pitino can prove the allegations are false (and we know someone has been recording phone calls) then Sypher AND WDRB could easily go down in a defamation suit, should the station choose to air the interview without eliminating their reasonable doubt.
From an above post,
Pitino is a public figure, so any attempt to sue the station for defamation would be futile.
and
WDRB could have run with this story at almost no peril.
I don’t know why you would say that. That’s not true at all. Actual malice might be difficult to prove, but it certainly isn’t a futile endeavor. If WDRB has doubts about her claims — which they obviously do — and they run her interview, and her allegations are false, and Pitino can prove it, then WDRB would lose a defamation case. Once again, they’re not being nice, they’re covering their ass.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
It's my understanding ...
… that in order to successfully sue someone for defamation one must prove that the offending statements are false.
And in order for DRB to be in any legal trouble, it must be proved that they knew the statements were false, yet still aired them.
Brings to mind “Absence of Malice”
your understanding is wrong
“actual malice” is twofold. either the disseminater knows the statement is false and runs it anyway OR runs it with “reckless disregard to the truth.” this essentially means the disseminater must dispel reasonable doubts in regard to the veracity of the claims. WDRB has reason to believe Sypher might not be telling the truth. It’s their responsibility to investigate those doubts before going public with her claims.
Now, if her statements are true, then there’s no issue. WDRB could roll the dice and hope the statements are true, but that’s not a real good idea.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
I don't see the difference in what you wrote and what I wrote
Is it not true that in order for DRB to be successfully sued for defamation, that it must be proved that they knew the statements were false? In order to prove "reckless disregard for the truth’ one has to prove the statments were false. Yes?
My reference to “Absence of Malice” may be off a bit, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie.
OK Gang....
any minute now Perry Mason is going to roll in here with Ben Matlock, they are going to get Judge Judy and Dom Herrera and we will get this thing settled once and for all…..
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Lol ABC
I loved Mason, Matlock and I think Judge Judy is the toughest female judge around. Don’t know Herrera.
Supreme Court of Comedy
you may not get it if you dont have directv….its on their channel 101….comedians as lawyers….Herrera is the judge…..Judge Wapner type cases…..
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
no
i dont know how else to say it. yes, the statement have to be false for it to be defamation. but the disseminating party doesnt have to know theyre explicitly false.
let’s say, for instance, that you tell me that calipari killed the president’s dog. I don’t know for sure that he didn’t, but I have my doubts, and i never look into what really happened. Still, I run the story in my newspaper. Assuming that claim is found to be defamatory, and ultimately false, I can be named in a defamation of character suit for running the story without investigating my own reasonable doubts, and I will lose. Cal doesn’t have to prove that I knew for sure he didn’t kill Bo. He just has to prove that I never investigated my reasonable doubts before running the story.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
You answered by question, thanks
I made a reference to Richard Jewell above (the man orginally accused by the FBI of being the Olympic Park bomber). He was named by the FBI as the guilty party, and several news organizations ran with the story. It turned out to be false, and he successfully sued several newspapers, TV stations, etc.
They settled because, as you write, they didn’t investigate to an acceptable degree the veracity of the charges.
My main concern is — Pitino’s ability to prove that Sypher’s allegations against him are false (if indeed she is leveling such allegations). I would think that would be a difficult thing to prove, and the burden of proof certainly falls into Pitino’s lap.
youre right
although i’m guessing he’s the one who’s been recording phone calls. If he’s got her on the line admitting she’s making it all up, then she’s in deep.
What do you mean, "blank slate"?
That's for sure.
Which takes me back to the whole time-line thing. But, as Tru points out, if there is indeed a conspiracy, then I can understand it taking longer for the FBI to make an arrest.
Thanks for the free lesson :)
If she wants to make her claims public
all she has to do is call a news conference or authorize her attorney to make them public. If 6 or 8 news organizations show up at a news conference and hear her allegations, nearly all will report what she said. Because of the competition.
Excellent point
Makes me wonder if she’s being counseled to NOT call a press conference, and did she hire Clay AFTER the DRB interview.
Coming.
Never fear. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 20, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Slick Rick
This why he is called “SLICK RICK”, he thinks he is God’s gift to women. Once again we have been short changed!!!! Who cares about him and his womanizing. I for one am glad he doesn’t still coach for the BIG BLUE NATION.
Here is the latest
http://hellinthehall.com/2009/04/20/karen-sypher-the-pitino-extortion-attempt/
Envy our past......Fear our future
Ahh shucks........
I have missed all the fun…lol….oh well.
And, I have thought for the past few years, Pitino was looking a lot like Pacino. Hadn’t really looked at online pics, but some of these are downright eerie.
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Billy G....???
Off the subject a bit, but I wanted every one to know that Billy G. was at Keeneland Saturday…
I was watching TVG with some friends, and the camera was fixed on him with TVG crew making the comment, “there is the ex-uk coach, enjoying a day at the races”…
Why is he still in town..?
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
What else are you gonna do
when you have a mil or 2 in your pocket, an empty house, and no job? My best guess is that he is waiting to find out the results of his contract negotiations with UK….I’d hang around town a few months for another few mil
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
he likes Lexington so much that he is having a hard
time leaving….or, he could be wating around to get his last check. he won’t be coaching anywhere next year so he may as well hang out and finish the derby season while he has a chance. if you see him, buy him a mint julip on me.
okay bluecrip.....
will do….now all I need is your cc # …..lol….but, honestly, that is all correct. No other job, has a house, Keeneland is still on, and Derby is around the corner, so why not hang out. We all know that this is an exciting time in the Bluegrass….I wouldn’t leave, in his case, either.
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
hey d2....I hear he's looking for company....
you never know….you might snag one there…..lol…..just so long as he hasn’t read about you having the hots for Calipari…..lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Allblucat...
wait a minute now….A) why do you think I am looking? B) I do not have the “hots” for Calipari,as you stated. So please explain this to me. I think Cal is the right man for this job, that is what I have said. Period……..
I do expect a reply ALLBLU : )
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
its called a joke a2d2....
you remember those……everyone used to use them to describe our program about 4 months ago……geez….why is everyone so dang touchy lately….I was driving home, so I didnt see this until now btw……c’mon gang….everyone lighten up….since when did this get to be so serious…..next thing you know….Ken Howlett will stop correcting my punctuation….I was just trying to inject a little levity ino the discussion…..my sincere apologies for having offended…..
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Allblucat...
IF that is an apology, I will accept it….lol…..Who knows?..HaHaHa…I cannot tell.
You should know by now that I like a good laugh, but saying that I have the HOTS for Calipari, was not correct, in no way, shape or form. If I were Coach Cal, I would be offended that you made the comment. Ol’ buddy, Ol’ pal……..You did not hear anything like that from me. : )
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
somehow I dont believe
that Coach Cal gets offended by fans having the “hots” for him, however I offer my most humble apologies to Coach if I overstepped my bounds…..and if I didnt, Coach could you please send a2d2 an autographed life size standup picture of yourself so she can tell it every day that you are the right man for the job…..period…..???
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I am not even going to....
or……. Yes, I am…..Geez Allblucat….Don’t turn this into another boxing match, like I saw between you and that RED one….End of story here and now.
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
ok...ya made me laugh on that one!!!!
you win…..I lose….there…its in print!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
the things we men
do to keep the womenfolk happy…..now if only Ricky had taken that approach…..hmmmmm….actually that one was bad even for me….lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
But......
the womenfolk are always worth it……..Now…….
Where is John Wall’s gate?……lol…..I will watch it closely, if you find it…
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
not that dang wall
again….I mean gate….I mean wall….I mean Walll…..aaaargggghhhh!!!!!!!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
actually....
I think there is a door too…….Les would know…lol.. : )
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Coerced Abortion
According to this the problem stems from a sexual liaison 5 years ago resulting in pregnancy then abortion.
You cannot ...
… take that blog seriously. That is an unsourced rumor. Anybody can post on that blog, regardless of credibility.
Don’t accept anything you read on the Bleacher Report without links and sources. It is a known haven for nonsense.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Coincides With Illness
Perhaps it’s only synchronously related but five years ago, if you recall, was the time of Pitino’s inexplicable illness.
I don't think
Karen’s side of the story will ever come out in the national media. Pitino’s money will suppress it.
You got it girl....
Us gals have seen how these things always turn out…….Maybe the guys don’t see that……
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
now hold on ladies....
we men have our sensitive sides too….this thing doent have to be a gals vs. guys thing. If the man did something wrong, then it needs to come out….if not then she needs to get a grip….I dont see Pitino having enough $$$ to prevent the FBI from bringing out whatever they find in this case….maybe that’s naive. and if so then I admit to it….but dont assume we guys dont have an understanding about how these things work….at least not all of us
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Abortion
I know that many women opt for it even though I am personally against it. I have read many stories of how it can effect a woman’s mind for many years. It just depends on the individual’s belief of when life begins and many do not believe it begins at conception, but that is another matter.
If she was in fact coerced, that is very bad, as she was already a mother to four sons.
I don’t know how this whole thing will go down….but the whole sordid thing is bad for both families because of the children involved on both sides, and to me, the kids are the most important thing at stake and how it affects their lives now and in the future.
But isn't that just speculation at this point?
Didn’t someone say the bleacher report, was well, not a trusted source for info?
Additionally, multiple sources said:
Sypher and Pitino met at Louisville restaurant Porcini nearly six years ago. At the time, Sypher was single. Pitino was not.
They talked, stayed late, then Pitino "took advantage of Sypher," resulting in an abortion and five years of silence.
I just find this very hard to swallow. I haven’t commented too much on this thread b/c there is so much speculation.
yeah, Bballsophist
made sure I knew they were less than reliable when it came to what they allowed to be put on the blog….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Interesting quote ...
… in this article:
On April 8th, a woman identifying herself as Karen Sypher called WHAS11 making criminal allegations against Pitino but she told us she had not filed a criminal complaint.
Why would she make a claim like that and not file a complaint? To preserve her threat?
Weirder and weirder.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Dang Tru....
did you have to hunt for that one or are they just getting easier to find?
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Unreliable or not
Sites like that may be the only way that Karen gets her story out there.
I respect Pitino for his years at UK and what he did, but I have never trusted him as an individual with what he spouts to the media. He has always taken care of himself and I know he and Keightley had a great relationship. We all know his past with philandering and so does Joanne. She has always preferred to stay away and I don’t blame her. The further from the acts the better as in she does not see it first hand and can go about her normal life as a Mom to her children. Sometimes not knowing and hearing is the best.
I remember the story about Daniel who died in a premature birth. I am not going any further.
kykat
You may be overblowing the power of Pitino’s $, and underestimating the cut-throat nature of the national and local media.
With the 24/7 news cycles, every-single-iota of information will be dissected by ESPN, FOX, CBSSports, etc. They LIVE for this stuff.
IF he’s dirty, we’ll know, as will the entire world.
I hope you are right Ken
But I honestly don’t see it with Pitino’s influence and moneys. He lives to keep his name clean from scandal, etc. He has hired the former KY attorney general as his lawyer.
Again I hope you are correct, but I just don’t see the other side surfacing in the national media.
I see your point totally, kykat
But then I think of President Clinton, Gov. Spitzer, Blagojevichfdjasfk, etc. (not trying to be political, just using these big names to make a point) Those weren’t able to keep their noses clean.
Noses?
Can’t say for certain regarding Blagojevich (considering his vernacular I have my suspicions) but for Clinton and Spitzer I’m sure it was another part of the anatomy — but perhaps noses as well.
by Wild Weasel on Apr 20, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Blago Wanted $ Not That
Governor Milorad likes $$$ not the anatomy.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 21, 2009 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Pitino is not a federal employee
He is employed by UL which yes I know is state funded to some degree. It is in the best interests of UL and Jurich to keep this whole fiasco under the radar as far as anything concerning Pitino’s personal life and his problems. It could have happened at UK during his tenure and we all know that part of the story. He has stretched his limits with getting away with his many escapades. I don’t know of anyone in the BBN or the Cards supporters who could truthfully deny that. I know I cannot. It was just a Pandora’s Box waiting.
Now, this is probably going to be taken wrong
but does anyone think that Joanne Pitino couldnt walk away tomorrow….(a very rich woman I might add) and still have her sense of self intact if she thought this was a ongoing problem?
I honestly believe that SOME women know the score beforehand….and still want to play the game. That does not excuse any illegal or immoral behavior, but it’s kind of like saying that Jaqueline Kennedy did’nt know who JFK was before they were married. My wife knew the kind of man I was BEFORE we got married. She and I trust each other because we dont lie about where we are and what we are doing to each other, but my wife knows I am no saint, and was not before we married. Her trust in me is what our marriage is all about….not all of them are, but I do not find most women to be near as naive as people think.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
there should have been a comma after
“where we are”….sounds a little too strange without it…..hat tip to Ken Howlett….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I have one request, and you won't let me live it down :)
To your comment —
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a couple had an “arrangement.”
I am just glad someone is keeping an eye on me Ken....
or else a2 is gonna have my hide!!!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
You are
certainly crusin’ for a brusin’ tonight, Allblucat………and that’s all I have to say about that….lol
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I dont want to rile anyone with this one a2
thats not my intent at all, sincerely…..there are a lot of strange stories out there….and the more people live outside the real world, and I am referring to the priveleged and those who’s lifestyles directly reflect their paycheck here, the more bizarre the stories get. People who dont have to worry about the mortgage and the car payments or the college funds tend to get bored real easy…now I say again, as I have before….this is about a person’s character not their heritage….strange things happen in country club back rooms and high priced hotel rooms that never see the light of day…..but when someone feels slighted in any way, there is usually something ugly about to happen…..it just seems to work that way is ALL I am saying
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
ahhh.......
I didn’t mean that I was going to go after you on that comment. I meant that you were certainly opening yourself up for quite possibly some mean comments……I am not going to argue with you ABC….good, I figured a shorter name for you….lol
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I just dont want you and Kat to think that
I am going all Man Cave here….this is as I said earlier, one of my heroes…my gut instinct is to defend him with my best John Wayne impersonation….but I also know heroes are fallible, so I am holding out that this comes out ok for BOTH parties…usually doesnt happen….but I am holding out for it
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by the way
Rondo fell in first half of Boston game tonight….not sure how badly he is hurt….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Pitino is one of my heroes also
But in the midst of all this I find it very hard to defend him as I know he only cares abouit his own reputation and does not give a 2 cents worth about anyone else.
well, that's understandable....if your information is accurate
now people who know you may take YOUR word as something written in stone….the problem here is that no one on here knows this woman,as far as I know of, nor how reliable she is. We have not heard her side of the story, and I would bet, that even if it was the National Enquirer, that someone would either air or print her story…unless there is a credibility issue…and that has never stopped the enquirer. You say you know he only cares about his reputation, is this first hand knowledge, or is it something you got from someone else?…and if it is from someone else, and you had to gamble everything you have on it for real…..EVERYTHING you own….are you still as sure?….if so then I would say that someone would hear your side of it if it were you were the person in this situation…I wont defend anyone if I have any provable reason not to…..I will defend my heroes until someone proves to me that I shouldnt.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
see Kat
this is exactly what I was referring to earlier…a lot of these guys see things different than you or I…..And play it down as much as you guys want to, but the double standard still exists today. It always takes two people, but the female seems to come out as the initiator. And the male comes out with a macho reputation.
Now I am not talking specifically about Pitino. I like the guy. KY needed him when Eddie really messed the program up. I am talking about, in general situations 99.9% of the time, the double standard applies. That is just the way it is…..
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
awwwww.....c'mon a2
this isn’t about men vs. women….I would feel the same way if someone was involved in this same situation with Pat Summitt. You go after her, and I am getting my back up just as fast….I have female heroes too…and as far as Zoso’s comment, its not about his public status as far as I am concerned…I would defend a friend the same way….I grew up in a racist, sexist, backward, southern home where the guns and fishing boats had as much respect as the women….I have spent my entire life making sure I was NOT that type of man. I really don’t like being labeled that way…..honest…
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I didn't say
ALL guys. So everyone can decide where they belong on their own…..I mentioned no names. And if it were a female coach, and someone’s husband, estranged or not, things would already have been different in the media, and in the public opinion….
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
My problem with this is simple...
Everyone has now switched gears and takes the “Pitino is a victim” position because he was able to get out in front of this situation. He has already won the PR war and whatever happens over the course of the next few weeks is not going to change that.
If her side ever emerges, it will only be after she has been marginalized to the point that nothing she has to say will matter. That’s what happens when you mess with the upper crust.
Pitino apparently is a victim ...
… of a criminal conspiracy. That certainly does not mean that he is clean of any wrongdoing in the overall matter, either criminal or otherwise.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
And I want to say this
to ABC and whomever, I am on ASoB to support my Wildcats, win or lose. I do not want to argue with anyone. I want to see my team raise more banners, if that comes about, which I believe they will. I want the Wildcats to know that when they put on that KY jersey, they are supported by the most loyal and awesome fans in the world. And I am and always will be one of those fans.
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
It not an argument a2....its a discussion
an open exchange of ideas and thoughts….I believe we ALL want to support the Cats, and this subject has just raised a lot of bad feelings for everyone. Now that I have gotten in the last word , I’ll hush!…lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Sypher And Family Comment
Nothing much added but comments on difficulty of Ms. Sypher getting her side of story out.
Sypher's
As someone wrote Sunday — All she has to do is call a news conference (everybody will show up) and state her side of the story.
But, the more she says publicly, the more the potential prosecutors will have to hang her with if this thing ever gets to court.
vinceuk1 below — Pitino did not name her as the extorter, Thomas Clay, Sypher’s attorney did that.
Good Morning Ken
See you are still trying to make sense of all this.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
I learned a lot today just reading.
We have a bunch od attorneys on board and that one post about the tv show has to be the longest I’ve ever read.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
Most of the time
Our Attorney’s could not even agree to disagree!
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
There seem to be several lawyers on board here, as you note ...
… and several others seem to have a firm grasp of the legal remifications of what’s happening.
To your comment below — I was thinking the EXACT same thing today as I read the thread.
I’m working on a new front page post — ESPN’s Pat Forde has some quotes from Sypher and her mother.
"To your comment below" --
I’m referring to the comment about the lawyers not even agreeing to disagree.
I'll let you finish and then I'll read it.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
I'll probably wait until later
to read . got an early morning delievery from FedX that has to be signed for. Good Morning.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
why is it ok for Pitino and the media...
…to report that Karen Sypher tried to extort money, but they will not report her allegations on Rick…?
It’s bullshit if you ask me…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
My thoughts exactly...
apparently they consider Pitino a more credible source, but if they are going to let one person give their side of the story, they should be obligated to let the other give theirs as well.
The Spork, I'm two things in one.
There could be several reasons ...
… the most obvious being because Pitino’s statement was easy to verify by talking to the FBI, who acknowledged that Pitino contacted them.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Because the media
Is protecting Pitino. That is the only reason I see at this point and if I am wrong, so be it.
I am sick
About this whole thing. I hope the whole story materializes somewhere and it can be put to rest for the good of both families concerned.
I agree kykat, but I'm afraid this thing has some serious legs, and will be in the public ...
… consciousness for some time to come.
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