Familiar case for Pitino accuser

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Federal prosecutors said yesterday that a Louisville woman charged with trying to extort money from University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino had made earlier, false claims of sexual harassment against a businessman.

Prosecutors said in a court document that Karen Cunagin Sypher filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against an auto glass business owner in 2001, a case prosecutors say had similarities to the Pitino case.

In the earlier case, prosecutors say, Sypher had consensual sex with the man, then was hired by him. She claimed to be pregnant when he ended the relationship and sued the man after she was fired a few months later, claiming sexual harassment.

Prosecutors alleged that the accusation was false. They made the argument in a trial brief filed in U.S. District Court in Louisville in advance of Sypher's trial on charges she attempted to extort $10 million from Pitino, then lied to the FBI about it and falsely accused Pitino of rape in retaliation for his reporting the extortion attempt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn Jr. said in the brief the earlier alleged extortion attempt, which did not result in criminal charges, will be introduced at Sypher's trial, which starts July 26. Sypher has pleaded not guilty. She is accused of demanding college tuition for her children, her house to be paid off and $10 million.

Sypher's attorney, James Earhart, was out of the office yesterday and unavailable for comment. He had not filed a trial brief as of early yesterday afternoon.

Under certain circumstances, prosecutors can introduce evidence of other acts that wouldn't normally be allowed in a criminal trial. Generally, those prior acts are admissible as a means to show motive, opportunity, intent or planning.

In comparing the civil suit and the Pitino case, Kuhn wrote, the "similarities are striking, and evince a common motive, scheme, pattern, intent and plan."

Sypher is accused of having a consensual sexual encounter with Pitino in 2003 at a Louisville restaurant, something the coach has admitted to. About 3 weeks later, prosecutors say, Sypher approached Pitino saying she was pregnant. That pregnancy was ended by an abortion, prosecutors said.

Six years later, prosecutors say, Sypher sought money from Pitino, threatened to accuse him of rape if he didn't pay up and hired an attorney to pursue the claim.