Karen Sypher found guilty of extorting former Knicks coach Rick Pitino

New York Post ^ | August 6, 2010 | JOSH ABNER and JEREMY OLSHAN

[tlb]

Karen Cunagin Sypher was found guilty yesterday of demanding $10 million from former Knick coach Rick Pitino in return for keeping mum about their "15-second" affair -- and now faces up to 26 years in prison.

A jury found Sypher guilty on all six counts -- including extortion and lying to investigators.

n cringe-worthy testimony last week, Pitino told jurors their illicit fling in a Louisville Italian restaurant lasted just "15 seconds."

The jury, which deliberated for five hours starting Wednesday afternoon, did not have much trouble reaching a decision, foreman Glen Elder said. There were no sticking points, he said.

As prosecutors left the courtroom, Jacob Wise, Sypher's 20-year-old son, said sarcastically, "Thanks for taking my mother away, guys," and clapped his hands.

The trial brings to an end a long, embarrassing episode for the Louisville coach, which began when the two met in 2003 at Porcini, an Italian restaurant owned by a friend.

On the stand, Pitino told the jury he was at the end of the bar when she approached him with her cellphone, asking him to wish her son a happy birthday.

At the end of the night, she suggested they move to a booth to finish their wine.

"Some unfortunate things happened," he said. "She opened up my pants."

Their encounter lasted only "15 seconds," Pitino said.

[DrC]

“not much bang for the buck there.”

Now I know where the phrase “slam bam, thank you Ma’am” comes from. I guess Pitino was taught that when you have the ball, don’t diddle around: drive to the basket.

[shotgun]

Rim shot...

[Thrownatbirth]

It was on a table in the restaurant

This led to widespread mispronunciation of "Porcini".

[crosshairs]

Their encounter lasted only "15 seconds," Pitino said.

Dang. How does he keep his wife satisfied?

[reagan_fanatic]

Sypher, who says she became pregnant and had an abortion, waited six years to threaten to reveal the details of the brief, messy time together if he did not pay up

So, an innocent life pay the ultimate price for a slut's behavior. Figures.

[Dayman]

“It says he pulled out as soon as she started talking pregnancy. Give him credit for quick thinking.”

That’s why I got snipped. Pulling out is for democrats.

[Scotswife]

“Slightly off topic I guess, but how about jailing women who falsely accuse men of being the father of their children in order to extort child support from them. And jail the judges who go along with it.”

Doesn’t that sort of thing involve paternity tests these days?

[Enterprise]

One would think that in a just world, things like paternity really matter.

Homeless man to lose inheritance to child that isn't his

[Delta Dawn]

In all fairness, Pitino thought he was on a shot-clock...