University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino tonight released a statement saying that he is fighting an extortion attempt aimed at him.
Without giving specifics of actions he says are being taken against him, Pitino said in a statement released by the university that he alerted both the FBI and the university into what he believes is an extortion attempt, and that the matter is under investigation.
Pitino's statement, in full, reads, "My family and I were recently threatened as part of a criminal scheme to extort money. Upon receiving these threats, we reported this extortion attempt to the FBI.
"While I did not want to make this matter public, I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme.
"I want to make it clear that I intend to vigorously defend my reputation and the character of my family against any criminal scheme to extort money. I am hopeful that the media and public will recognize the slanderous nature of this direct and malicious attack.
"My family and I appreciate the support we have received from Tom Jurich, Dr. James Ramsey, and the entire Louisville family. Because this is a federal criminal investigation, I cannot comment further at this time. Any inquiries should be directed to my attorney, Steve Pence."
The release states that Pitino first reported the allegations last month.
Pence could not immediately be reached for comment.
U of L president James Ramsey issued a statement saying that he supports Pitino and stands by his decision to go to the authorities.
U of L athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement that, "Coach Pitino has informed us that he and his attorneys have reported a potential extortion attempt to the FBI. We cannot comment further about this ongoing criminal investigation. We stand by Coach Pitino and support his decision to alert the authorities."
Read more about this story in tomorrow's Courier-Journal, and at www.courier-journal.com
Without giving specifics of actions he says are being taken against him, Pitino said in a statement released by the university that he alerted both the FBI and the university into what he believes is an extortion attempt, and that the matter is under investigation.
Pitino's statement, in full, reads, "My family and I were recently threatened as part of a criminal scheme to extort money. Upon receiving these threats, we reported this extortion attempt to the FBI.
"While I did not want to make this matter public, I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme.
"I want to make it clear that I intend to vigorously defend my reputation and the character of my family against any criminal scheme to extort money. I am hopeful that the media and public will recognize the slanderous nature of this direct and malicious attack.
"My family and I appreciate the support we have received from Tom Jurich, Dr. James Ramsey, and the entire Louisville family. Because this is a federal criminal investigation, I cannot comment further at this time. Any inquiries should be directed to my attorney, Steve Pence."
The release states that Pitino first reported the allegations last month.
Pence could not immediately be reached for comment.
U of L president James Ramsey issued a statement saying that he supports Pitino and stands by his decision to go to the authorities.
U of L athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement that, "Coach Pitino has informed us that he and his attorneys have reported a potential extortion attempt to the FBI. We cannot comment further about this ongoing criminal investigation. We stand by Coach Pitino and support his decision to alert the authorities."
Read more about this story in tomorrow's Courier-Journal, and at www.courier-journal.com
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