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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Tables Turned in Rape Investigation

Aired February 6, 2004 - 06:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Pittsburgh, do you know those cell phones that act as mini-camcorders? Well, they are coming into play at St. John's University. A woman who accused its basketball players of rape has now been charged with lying to police. Guess why?
Ralph Lannotti of CNN affiliate KDKA has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RALPH LANNOTTI, CNN AFFILIATE KDKA REPORTER (voice-over): The sexual encounter took place in a hotel room in downtown Pittsburgh, but now the tables have been turned in a rape investigation. And 38- year-old Sherry Ann Bach (ph), the alleged victim, was arrested by Pittsburgh police on charges of prostitution, attempted extortion and filing a false police report.

LT. KEVIN KRAUS, PITTSBURGH POLICE: In this case, we believe we have ample information to support the charge of fictitious reports to law enforcement.

LANNOTTI: Investigators say Bach (ph) met three St. John's University basketball players here at Club Erotica in suburban McKees Rocks. From here, they went to the Westin Convention Center Hotel downtown, but instead of a sexual assault taking place, as Bach (ph) alleged, investigators now believe she tried to exhort money from the players. When they refused, she claimed she had been raped.

CMDR. MAURITA BRYANT, PITTSBURGH POLICE: We believe that financial gain was the motive in this case.

LANNOTTI: Sources close to the investigation say what proved crucial in turning this case completely around on the alleged victim was the fact that one of the basketball players had a small digital camera cell phone and actually video-recorded some of the sexual encounter.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Well, there you have it. Ralph Lannotti of CNN's Pittsburgh affiliate KDKA reporting.

What of those basketball players involved in the case? St. John's University has suspended two of the men and expelled another.

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