Sypher hires new legal team for sentencing

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The woman convicted of attempting to extort money from University of Louisville basketball Coach Rick Pitino has hired a new legal team, her attorney says.

Karen Cunagin Sypher has retained a team headed by Washington attorney David B. Nolan, former counsel to the White House on ethics and federal whistle-blower protection champion, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal reported Wednesday.

Sypher, 50, was convicted Aug. 5 on extortion charges for fabricating rape charges against Pitino and then trying to force him to give her $10 million in exchange for her silence.

With her sentencing hearing scheduled for next week, Sypher's new legal team is expected to demand the removal of Judge Charles Simpson for alleged conflict involving ties to the university.

The legal team is also expected to file motions for a special grand jury to look into the actions of Pitino and several others the new lawyers allege "railroaded" Sypher to protect Pitino and the university, the Courier-Journal reported.