Sypher, attorney make allegations of government conspiracy

Louisville, KY - By Janelle MacDonald - bio | email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - On the day she was supposed to be sentenced to federal prison, Karen Sypher is firing off new accusations.  Together with her new attorney, Sypher came to WAVE 3 Tuesday to talk about the new strategy they believe will not only keep her out of prison but see the charges against her dismissed.

For eight days last summer, jurors and a lot of Louisvillians heard the case against Sypher but Sypher says what you didn't hear is why she's talking now.

"I was told what to do way too many times but I still kept standing up for the truth and for my rights, hoping that that would come and I guess it's now," she said.

Sypher and her new attorney James Faller say they've got new evidence that will show it was her former divorce attorney Dana Kolter who came up with the demands for U of L Basketball Coach Rick Pitino.

"The idea to extort Pitino or demand money -- it really wasn't extortion, it was a settlement claim -- that was Kolter's," said Faller.

Faller says Kolter and a government conspiracy that included Sypher's former attorneys led to her conviction for extortion and lying to the FBI.

"There's substantial evidence out there we can prove exist and we want it and it will show that Karen's case is exactly what she said it was," Faller said.

For instance, recordings of conversations between Sypher and Pitino used against Sypher in court. Faller says he can prove they were doctored.

"We also now know, in the last 48 hours, we found out that there was white noise inserted in some of these tape recordings where Karen had meetings with Rick Pitino," Faller said. "That white noise covered up things where Karen said, 'I don't want your money. I want an apology.'"

"The truth is the truth," Sypher said. "It should prevail."

Sypher's truth is that she's yet to be heard.

"I am a victim still to this day," she said. "I am still continually being raped by the public, the media, the government especially."

Sypher said she is still fighting because, "I have not had my day in court. I have not had my day yet."

Now she believes the guilty verdict the jury returned will be thrown out.

"Absolutely," she said. "I wouldn't be here today."

As her legal fight continues, Sypher addressed public perception that some people may think she's unstable.

"I think you'd be crazy if you went through this too," Faller said first.

Sypher continued, "and I have to laugh because that's how I've kept my sanity. I have to say I'm so proud of my children."

Her children are the reason Sypher says she won't stop.

"I will not leave the justice system like this for my children and your children and my children's children to go through what I've been through," she said.

Asked if she has any regrets, Sypher said no.

"Absolutely nothing," she said. "I've been asked that question over and over. I've asked myself that question."

Faller says he plans to file a motion by the end of the week alleging prosecutorial misconduct and asking that the charges be thrown out.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office said they would respond in court to those allegations.

Sypher's former attorney James Earhart said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on her claims.

The receptionist at Kolter's office said he was unavailable.

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