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Louisville investigating allegations of paid escorts

NCAA Louisville Basketball

AP

AP

The University of Louisville is investigating allegations made in a new book that a former basketball staff member paid escorts to have sex with players and recruits.

The book, entitled “Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen,” alleges that Andre McGee, a former Louisville player (2005-09) and the director of basketball operations (2012-14) hired Katina Powell to bring strippers and prostitutes -- three of whom were her daughters -- to either a campus dormitory or off-campus housing and provide entertainment for players and teenage recruits. Once there, they would dance and perform sexual acts, the book claims.

The book is based on journal entries and text messages the Louisville madam kept. McGee left Louisville in 2014 to join the UMKC coaching staff as an assistant coach.

From the Indianapolis Business Journal, sister company of the book’s publisher, IBJ Book Publishing LLC:

At the parties, a number of women—including Powell and three of her daughters—stripped and danced in front of the Louisville recruits and players—as well as performed sex acts with them, said Powell, the ringleader of the strippers.

At those parties, Powell said, high school-aged recruits were offered alcohol by McGee, who also arranged additional payment to her and her dancers if the recruits wanted to have sex with them.

The university issued a statement on Friday.

“The University of Louisville will continue its review in full cooperation and coordination with the NCAA and, if warranted, take any appropriate action,” the statement read. “The allegations have been taken very seriously. In no way would anyone at this institution condone the alleged activities. To preserve the integrity of the review process, the university will withhold comment on any details until the review is concluded.”

According to Jeff Greer, of the Courier-Journal, the school learned of the book in August and hired Chuck Smrt, who spent 17 years on the NCAA Enforcement Staff, to lead an independent investigation.

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