UMKC puts assistant at center of escort case on leave

Earlier today, Forde tweeted out that a book that is on pre-order right now, was written by Louisville resident Katina Powell stated that a former staffer for Louisville Basketball apparently paid for “escorts to dance for and have sex with players and recruits”. Jurich said he didn’t want any athletics officials to inhibit a full investigation into the matter.

Cardinals coach Rick Pitino said he tried to conduct his own investigation before being rebuffed by the school’s compliance office.

But, why is all this information coming out now?

Coach Pitino says not only is he upset at these allegations, he’s hurting for his team and future recruits, “When somebody gives you their player you’re their parent for that time that they are here”.

Yahoo Sports first reported the book’s publication.

Louisville senior co-captain Andre McGee, left, speaks with a reporter during the Louisville men’s college basketball media day Thursday October 23, 2008 at the Yum! McGee, now on administrative leave at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, could face NCAA and legal issues, as could the unnamed others who Powell alleges worked for U of L and helped set up and pay for the parties.

Cox said McGee retained him and partner Michael Mazzoli about two weeks ago. He also said he won’t comment on if Louisville was approached about a payout of a few kind in exchange for the book’s publication. The book, which apparently names names, says they were made available during the “campus visits of highly sought high school basketball players-and in a few cases their fathers-as well as then-current Louisville players”.

The book alleges at the peak of the dormitory and off-campus entertainment more than $10,000 cash changed hands to Katina for supplying the women. Nor does it include the money paid to the women who had sex with the recruits afterward.

McGee cuts down the net after the championship game of the Big East tournament. It does not describe the photo but mentions it may be for an upcoming book.

“It’s mind-boggling to me that all this can go on”, Pitino said. “To my knowledge, anyway”. The book is being published by Indianapolis-based IBJ Book Publishing.

Powell claims she kept five journals detailing the services and transactions.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he was shocked by the allegations. First, we will start off with this quote from Jurich about Pitino, “We talk all the time. If we did any wrong, we are going to ante up”. “So, that bothers me. I’d venture not one player came here because of those women”. He refused to answer a question asking if his Indiana “turned” Louisville in to the NCAA. “I would think a few of this would have surfaced”.

“I was driving down the street and my girlfriend called me screaming and crying”, Saundra Cott, a UofL fan said.

Kate Snedeker, a spokeswoman for IBJ Book Publishing LLC, said that Powell is not doing interviews. She has no remorse for her life or the choices she has made.