Aide: Pitino gave him $3,000 for woman now accused of trying to extort millions from coach

Aide: Pitino gave him $3,000 for pregnant woman

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A longtime aide to Rick Pitino told jurors that the Louisville men’s basketball coach asked him to give $3,000 to a woman who said the coach got her pregnant in a one-night fling at a restaurant.

The woman, Karen Cunagin Sypher, is on trial, accused of trying to extort millions from Pitino. She has pleaded not guilty.

The ex-aide, Tim Sypher, is the woman’s ex-husband. He testified Thursday that Pitino asked him to take Karen Sypher to get her medical insurance and counseling in August 2003. Tim and Karen Sypher would marry less than a year later.

Tim Sypher says his ex-wife ended the pregnancy with an abortion in Cincinnati and pocketed the bulk of Pitino’s money.

Tim Sypher is expected to continue testifying on Friday.