Louisville Probing Sex Claims Involving Basketball Recruits

The University of Louisville launched an investigation Friday into allegations a former basketball staffer paid thousands of dollars to an escort service to entice teenage prospects during their recruiting visits. 

The allegations are in an upcoming book called "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen." The book's author, Katina Powell, claims former Louisville director of basketball operations Andre McGee hired her to provide escorts to recruits and their fathers. (Video Louis Cardinals Athletics) 

McGee is a former Louisville basketball player and currently an assistant basketball coach at University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

"It's mind-boggling to me how all of this can go on and I read the statement that the publishing company put out and it almost got me sick to my stomach," Louisville men's basketball head coach Rick Pitino said. 

Pitino told reporters the school went straight to the NCAA after learning of the allegations a month ago. He also said he'd talked to former staffers, including McGee, who all denied the allegations. 

Powell told the Indianapolis Business Journal she's partly doing the book for money, but added “I decided to write the book to tell my story and to let people know what goes on inside of college basketball" 

Louisville said in a statement it retained a private investigator to look into the allegations. McGee has been put on administrative leave from UMKC and has retained a lawyer. 

This video includes images from Getty Images.