Kentucky basketball Coach Eddie Sutton said his...

Kentucky basketball Coach Eddie Sutton said his confidence remains unshaken in the ability and integrity of assistant Dwane Casey, who is under investigation for an alleged recruiting violation.

Sutton had made no public comment since the Los Angeles Daily News reported last Thursday that a videotape Casey sent via Emery Worldwide air freight to the father of signee Chris Mills contained $1,000. Several Emery employees said they saw the cash when the package broke open after falling to the floor during handling.

In a statement released through Kentucky’s sports information office, Sutton said he waited until Tuesday “because I felt such serious allegations required long and careful deliberation on everyone’s part, including mine.”

Sutton called Casey one of the finest young persons he knows. “My confidence in his ability, and especially his integrity, remains unshaken,” he said.