Former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker has been found responsible for violating the school’s sexual harassment policy.
Brenda Tracy, a well-known rape survivor and victims’ rights advocate, accused Tucker of sexual harassment after she started talking to the Spartans team in 2021.
In a 73-page report released Wednesday afternoon, a university hearing officer determined that the former coach sexually harassed and exploited Tracy when he masturbated without her consent and made sexual comments during a phone call in April 2022, according to USA Today.
The call came eight months after Tracy was hired by Tucker as a sexual assault prevention educator.
The investigation also found that Tucker made unwanted sexual advances in the months leading up to the phone call. It turned out that after the phone call, the coach continued to engage in “opposed sexual harassment” before the coach subsequently ended their business partnership.
Former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker has been found responsible for violating the school’s sexual harassment policy
Brenda Tracy, a well-known rape survivor and victims’ rights advocate, accused Tucker of sexual harassment after she began talking to the Spartans team in 2021
The report, via USA Today, read: ‘In summary, taking into account all available evidence, the Resolution Officer concludes, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Defendant subjected Plaintiff to undesirable sex-based behavior when he FaceTime video called Claimant without shirt on; when he tried to meet Eiser alone after the Spring Game; and when he masturbated without consent and used explicit, sexual language during a telephone conversation with the plaintiff.”
Tucker was investigated by the school, placed on leave and ultimately fired by Michigan State, which terminated the remainder of his 10-year, $95 million contract last month.
He responded to the allegations earlier this month by publishing 98 pages of heavily redacted text messages between Tracy and her best friend, Ahlan Alvarado, who reportedly died in a car crash in June. Tucker and his attorneys claim the messages contain “newly discovered evidence” that discredits Tracy’s allegations.
Tucker, who is married but reportedly estranged from his wife, also released a letter claiming he was in a relationship with Tracy and that the two had consensual phone sex.
But his story to the investigating officer that he and Tracy had been in a romantic relationship and had engaged in ‘consensual’ phone sex was considered less plausible, less consistent and less supported by the evidence than Tracy’s. said to have stated.
More to follow.