NCAA charges Pitino with failure to monitor in escort scandal

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino faces a Level One violation for failure to monitor ex-staffer Andre McGee, but the school escaped NCAA charges for the alleged dorm sex scandal involving self-proclaimed escort Katina Powell.

McGee's alleged to have committed two Level One violations in his role in the ordeal, while former assistant coach Brandon Williams faces one such charge.

Louisville released the NCAA's notice of allegations against the program Thursday, about a year after the association began investigating the claims made by Powell in her now-infamous book, "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen."

The school has 90 days to file an appeal for each finding, and said it will "dispute" the allegation against Pitino. Louisville is scheduled to appear in front of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions in the spring of 2017.

"As parents and university leaders who care about every student who comes to the University of Louisville, we are heartbroken that inappropriate behavior took place here," a joint statement from president Neville Pinto and athletic director Tom Jurich began. "It saddens us tremendously. We promised that if something was done wrong, we would be open about it, acknowledge it, and correct it."

McGee's charges stem from findings that he organized 14 stripper parties and 11 sex acts for 17 athletes and/or recruits, with at least $5,400 changing hands.

Williams was indicted based on his refusal to cooperate with NCAA investigators. McGee also failed to cooperate.

Louisville, which self-imposed a postseason ban last year, and then restricted scholarships and recruiting amid its own investigation, won't face further sanctions after the NCAA decided it addressed the claims appropriately.

Though Pitino was charged with failing to monitor McGee, the NCAA didn't allege the coach knew of or contributed to any wrongdoing in his program. Rather, the NCAA said he failed to look for it.

"We believe that Mr. McGee acted furtively and note that the NOA does not indicate that any other university employee besides Mr. McGee had knowledge of these activities," the Cardinals' statement later said. "We are confident in Coach Pitino and we know he is and always has been committed to NCAA compliance."

The Hall of Fame coach could still face serious penalties if found guilty of the violation, but both he and Louisville avoided the dreaded - and most serious - charge of lack of institutional control.