Michigan State Plans to Investigate Source of Mel Tucker Investigation Leak

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — state of michigan is investigating the source of a leak that led to Brenda Tracy’s identity being revealed as part of an investigation into her allegations that Suspended football coach Mel Tucker sexually harassed her.

School spokeswoman Emily Guerrant confirmed Sunday that the school plans to investigate the leak.

Tracy’s attorney, Karen Truszkowski, said last week that her client’s name was revealed by an outside party and that triggered her cooperation with a USA Today Report which laid out explicit details.

Tracy, an activist and rape survivor, said Tucker sexually harassed her during a phone call in April 2022. Eight months later, Tracy filed a complaint with the school’s Title IX office and the investigation was completed in July.

A hearing is scheduled for the week of Oct. 5 to determine whether Tucker violated the school’s sexual exploitation and harassment policy, and a ruling could take up to 60 days.

Guerrant said the university wanted to ensure a fair and comprehensive process, creating a safe environment for people to come forward without fear of institutional retaliation or violation of privacy.

“We are dismayed to learn that confidentiality was broken in this case,” Guerrant said last week.

Tucker, 51, who said he is separated from his wife and has two children, He said the allegations against him are “completely false.”.” Tucker insisted that the intimate phone call he had with Tracy was consensual and outside the scope of both Title IX and school policy.

Tucker is in the third year of a 10-year, $95 million contract and if he is fired for cause, the school would not have to pay him the remainder of his contract.

Michigan State can fire Tucker for cause if he “engages in any conduct that constitutes moral turpitude or that, in the sole judgment of the University, tends to create disrespect, contempt, or public ridicule toward the university,” according to his contract.

However, the leak potentially gives Tucker leverage in negotiations to reach an agreement with the school.

Officially, the school said “unprofessional behavior and failure to live up to the core values ​​of the department and university” was the reason Tucker was suspended.

Tracy is known for her work. with college teams, educating athletes about sexual violence. Michigan State paid him $10,000 to share his story with the football team.

The Spartans (2-1) were defeated 41-7 by No. 8 Washington Saturday in Harlon Barnett’s debut as interim coach.

Michigan State hosts top-scoring Maryland (3-0) on Saturday.

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