WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYIn testimony, Pitino admits to sex with Sypher

In testimony, Pitino admits to sex with Sypher

By Elizabeth Donatelli - bio | email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – As Karen Sypher's extortion trial continued for a third day, the man she is accused of attempting to extort took the stand. Rick Pitino was sworn in around 1:40 p.m. in front of a packed courtroom at the Gene Snyder Federal Courthouse in downtown Louisville.

Pitino was on the witness stand for nearly four hours under questioning by federal prosecutors. In his testimony, Pitino admitted he had sex with Sypher on July 31, 2003.

"Some unfortunate things happened. She opened up my pants," said Pitino.

He also talked about the first voice mail he received from a man, who was later identified as Lester Goetzinger. Pitino told the jury he got "sick to his stomach" about what was said in the message.

"He mentioned the word rape. I got very sick to my stomach," said Pitino. "Not only did I feel threatened, I knew what was about to happen. I was very much frightened." 

Pitino also said, "I could never rape a woman. I could never be physically harmful to a woman at any time."

Pitino is expected to be back on the witness stand Thursday to undergo cross-examination by Sypher's attorneys. 

Earlier Wednesday, prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned the owner of Porcini Restaurant, the place where Sypher says Pitino raped her in 2003. Timothy Corey, now the owner of Porcini on Frankfort Avenue, told jurors he was the manager on duty on July 31, 2003 - the night Sypher says Pitino raped her. Corey testified that he has known Pitino for about 20 years and said they are good friends.

Prosecutor John Kuhn asked Corey if he could remember any of the people Pitino was with that night and Corey recalled seeing several people, including Vinnie Tatum, a member of Pitino's staff. Corey said he also remembered several other friends - including Ron Carmichael, Glenn Hogan, and Jeff Stebbens. Corey says Michael Przybylek, who worked for the Courier-Journal at the time, was also present.

Corey said he saw Sypher leave with Przybylek and return a short time later. On Tuesday, Przybylek told jurors that was the first time he had met Sypher and that she did not meet him for a job interview as she told a reporter at another station in a taped interview. Przybylek did say that he mentioned there could be future job openings at the Courier-Journal.

Corey said when Sypher returned to the restaurant, he saw her talking to Hogan, and that he saw Hogan flip up the white mini-skirt Sypher was wearing and noticed Sypher continued laughing and joking.

Corey said when it was time to close the restaurant, he left Pitino, Sypher and Tatum at the bar, telling them they could leave through an exit that would lock behind them. He denied giving his keys to Pitino, although Sypher indicated in her taped interview that Corey gave Pitino the keys and told them to lock up.

The defense asked Corey if he had ever left the restaurant without locking up and he admitted he had never left anyone inside until that night.

During his testimony, Stebbens corroborated Corey's statements, saying he saw pretty much the same thing.

When Kuhn asked if Sypher had ever been back in the restaurant after July 31, 2003, Stebbens replied that he had seen her there several times for UofL basketball functions and ballgames.

"Did you never notice a sign of distress with her in the restaurant," asked Kuhn.

"No," Stebbens replied.

Sypher's attorney, James Earhart, asked Corey and Stebbens if they could recall as many specific details about the other diners in the restaurant that night, and they both admitted they could not.

Sypher faces several charges including extortion and lying to a federal agent.

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