Pitino blackmailer sentencing postponed

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A judge in Kentucky cited a glitch with Karen Sypher's lawyer's license in postponing her sentencing for trying to blackmail basketball Coach Rick Pitino.

Attorney David Nolan was set to represent Sypher at sentencing in federal court Friday. However, it turns out his license to practice before the court of appeals in Washington had expired due to a lack of payment of his bar dues.

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson said the technicality was enough to warrant delaying the proceedings because Sypher would not legally be represented by counsel.

Sypher faces sentencing at a later date for trying to extort money from the University of Louisville coach with a fabricated rape charge.

The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal reported Saturday the founder of the group that retained Nolan on Sypher's behalf told them the check had been submitted to the District of Columbia bar and was being processed.