According to the Associated Press, the attorney for Karen Cunagin Sypher, the woman charged with trying to extort Louisville coach Rick Pitino, wants to stop representing her because of “irreconcilable differences.” Thomas Clay made his intentions official by filing a motion in court to withdraw as Sypher’s attorney. Clay didn’t specify the reasons that led to the irreconcilable differences because of attorney/client privilege.
Sypher pleaded not guilty to charges of extortion in June. She is accused of demanding $10 million from Pitino or she said she’ll share embarrassing or criminal information that she claims to know about Pitino’s past. According to the AP, her case has hit some obstacles.
Cunagin Sypher’s longtime friend, Lester Goetzinger of Louisville, has been charged with taking part in the alleged extortion plot.
Goetzinger reached a deal with prosecutors that, in exchange for having his record cleared, he would testify against Cunagin Sypher.
Prosecutors alleged that Goetzinger left three voicemail messages on Pitino’s unlisted cellphone number between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 at Cunagin Sypher’s request. Goetzinger’s attorney, John Berry of Louisville, said Cunagin Sypher traded sexual favors in exchange for the phone calls.
Authorities have not said what information Cunagin Sypher might have been trying to use to allegedly extort Pitino. They have said the coach believed it was related to an unspecified 2003 encounter with her.
