Federal indictment alleges Pitino's active involvement in bribery scandal
Not only was ex-Louisville coach Rick Pitino aware of a plan to bribe the family of a top recruit to join his former program, but the Hall of Fame coach actively participated in the clandestine plan, according to a newly unsealed federal indictment against Adidas executive Jim Gatto.
The previous federal indictment, which outed 10 individuals for their alleged involvement in funneling cash from Adidas to amateur basketball players in order to secure future business relationships, suggested that "Coach-2" - whom CBS News' Dana Jacobson reported to be Pitino - was broadly aware of impropriety under his watch. However, the original indictment did not confirm Pitino's active involvement in facilitating the bribe.
The section of the new indictment relevant to Pitino refers to a secretly recorded conversation featuring former Louisville assistant coach Christian Dawkins and others about the ongoing scheme.
The indictment reads: "Specifically, Dawkins explained that while (Pitino) and the University of Louisville were recruiting (2017 No. 14 prospect Brian Bowen), Dawkins asked (Pitino) to call James Gatto to request that (Adidas) provide the money requested by the family of (Bowen), which (Pitino) agreed to do."
After the scandal led to Pitino's suspension from the program, the 65-year-old released a statement claiming he "had no knowledge of any payments to any recruit or their family." The University of Louisville Athletic Association voted to terminate Pitino's contract with cause on Oct. 16.
Earlier this month, Bowen's lawyer declared that his client had been cleared in the FBI probe. The 6-foot-7 forward has reportedly enrolled for spring classes at the school and is awaiting the possibility of embarking on his freshman season with the Cardinals, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal's Danielle Lerner.
- With h/t to Yahoo Sports