The sad and sordid tale of the alleged extortion plot involving University of Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino continued its steady beat Monday, when the target of the FBI investigation into the matter, Karen Sypher, spoke with FOX 41's Candyce Clifft.
Last week Clifft conducted a two-hour interview with Sypher, the former wife of U of L equipment manager Tim Sypher, but WDRB management has thus far declined to air the talk based on their inability to "substantiate the claims she was making", which Clifft reported to be "of a personal nature."
Sypher was given a polygraph test after the interview, with the results being categorized as "inconclusive." WDRB has reported that Sypher knew prior to the interview that she would be subjected to a post-interview polygraph examination.
Now, on to Monday's interview:
Sypher's statements to Clifft:
"I thought, how can you judge me? You don't know. You haven't walked in my shoes. You don't know what I'm going through, what my family is going through."
She continues:
"What they did is wrong. Everyone seems to be: 'Tell the truth Karen, tell the truth.' Well, you now, ask them, hook them up to a polygraph. Ask them the truth."
Sypher has apparently been on the receiving end of steely glances from people who recognize her on the street. And with the message boards lit up with all manner of rumor and innuendo, Sypher understandably seems to be bending under the pressure:
"It is worse than a nightmare. I'm scared to go to sleep, scared to close my eyes, and I'm scared to wake up."
Judy Cunagin, Karen Sypher's mother, is coming to the defense of her daughter:
"I feel that everyone's being unfair to my daughter. I believe that she was set up, and I don't believe that she was able to tell the truth as to what happened. And, I think stories are going around that just are not there. There's just no substance, no truth. If anyone's going to talk, why can't it be Mr. Pitino?"
Yesterday, Sypher also spoke with ESPN's Pat Forde and offered this:
"I'm just standing up for my rights and feeling like I don't have a lot of them at this moment. I'm just waiting for the truth to come out."
Sypher's attorney, Thomas Clay, also spoke with Forde, and had this to say about the ongoing federal investigation into his client's actions:
He thinks the investigation is "about wrapped up. If the decision hasn't already been made, it'll be made soon. I wouldn't be surprised to see something as soon as today or [Tuesday]."
Clay also reiterated that his client will not pursue any civil action against coach Pitino.
On related note: The Jefferson County Family Court docket indicated an April 13 dissolutionment hearing scheduled for the Syphers'. But, the Sypher divorce documents have been sealed by the courts.
Patrick Patterson leaning toward the Association?
The Danville Advocate-Messenger's Larry Vaught reported Monday that Larry Orton, father of UK signee Daniel Orton, said that UK coach John Calipari has told him that he thinks Patrick Patterson may be leaning toward opting for the NBA this year.
When told of the talk in recent days of Patterson leaving UK, Orton had this to say:
"Coach Calipari was saying the same thing to us. He thinks Pat might go, or at least is thinking really hard about it."
The Orton's and coach Calipari talked this weekend in New York City where Daniel was participating in an all-star game.
Mr. Orton also stated that one of the reasons his son chose UK was because of the opportunity for him to play with Patterson. But, he did note that if Patterson were to leave Lexington this summer, it would not effect Daniel's decision to attend Kentucky.
It's been said by many, for some time now, that Patterson's decision will be a business-based decision. If he indeed leaves now, that assertion has to be questioned, unless he's now being told privately that he'll be a lottery pick in the upcoming June NBA draft.
In most mock drafts, though, Patterson is currently projected to be selected in the bottom-third of the first round.
Coach Calipari has stated that he would counsel any player who was projected to be a top-10 pick, or lottery pick (top-13), to turn pro. Calipari has also publicly stated that he feels Patterson would be a top-10 pick in next year's NBA draft.
At this point, Patterson seems to be discounting his coaches advice. Perhaps the UK front court, with the addition of DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton, is becoming too crowded.
I'm sure we'll have more on this as the story develops.
Thanks for reading, and Go 'Cats!