Sex allegations in Pitino extortion case

LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 14 (UPI) -- Rick Pitino's lawyer dismissed a woman's allegations against the Louisville basketball coach as an attempt to deflect blame in her alleged extortion case.

The Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal Tuesday said, according to a prosecutor, Karen Sypher went to the Louisville police sex-crimes unit last week seeking an investigation of Pitino for an alleged offense that was not revealed.

Sypher is the estranged wife of a Louisville team manager who was indicted in May on charges of trying to extort money from Pitino by threatening to go public with criminal allegations.

Pitino's attorney, Steve Pence, released a written statement accusing Sypher of trying "create a defense"