LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A woman accused of demanding millions to stay quiet about a tryst with Rick Pitino initiated the sex by whispering to him and unzipping his pants when he got up to leave an empty Italian restaurant, he testified Wednesday.
The Louisville basketball coach’s testimony marked the first time he’s talked publicly in detail about his July 2003 encounter with Karen Cunagin Sypher, the meeting that led to her trial this week on extortion charges. Pitino’s portrayal of Sypher as the aggressor came after several witnesses said she was flirty and persistent when she approached Pitino at the restaurant.
“Some unfortunate things happened,” Pitino, a married father of five, said in the courtroom packed with spectators. “She opened up my pants.”
“Did you have sex that night?” Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Ford asked.
“Yes, very briefly,” Pitino said.
Sypher is charged with extortion, asking for cash, cars and a house to stay quiet about the sex.
Manchester United routs MLS stars
HOUSTON — Federico Macheda had two early goals, Mexican star Javier Hernandez scored in his Manchester United debut, and the Red Devils routed the MLS all-stars 5-2 in the final U.S. stop on their North American tour.
Darron Gibson and Tom Cleverley added goals for the Red Devils, tuning up for the start of the Premier League season next month.
Houston Dynamo star Brian Ching had a goal and an assist for the all-stars, who were hoping for a validating victory against one of the world’s pre-eminent soccer powers. Instead, Macheda scored twice in the first 13 minutes to quickly dash the hopes of the MLS team.
• Diego Maradona said he was lied to and betrayed by Argentina soccer officials who decided not to renew his contract as coach of the national team.
The former superstar, whose team was beaten 4-0 by Germany in a World Cup quarterfinal, said national team director Carlos Bilardo and association president Julio Grondona worked to oust him.
“They called me to put out a fire, and we put it out,” Maradona said. “Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me. While we were still in mourning, Bilardo worked in the shadows to throw me out.”
Footnotes.
Former Oklahoma State star Bob Fenimore, a two- time All-American who was the top pick in the 1947 NFL draft, died in Stillwater, Okla. He was 84. Fenimore was a star running back on offense who doubled as a defensive back for Oklahoma A&M in the 1940s.
• Oklahoma State safety Victor Johnson will face a possession of a controlled substance charge in addition to an accusation of obstructing a police officer leveled against him after his weekend arrest.
• NASCAR team owner Jack Roush remained hospitalized in serious but stable condition, one day after he walked away from a plane crash in Oshkosh, Wis.
• The Washington Capitals acquired enforcer D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues for prospect Stefan Della Rovere.
The Associated Press
