Mel Tucker’s lawyers release statement following Michigan State’s sexual harassment investigation

The findings of Michigan State’s investigation into Mel Tucker came out on Wednesday. Now, on Thursday, Tucker’s defense has provided their response.

Tony Paul of The Detroit News shared the release in a tweet on Thursday morning. It shared the frustration from Tucker’s side with the university for releasing their findings in the fashion they did while also stating that what was announced is filled with “countless factual and legal errors”.

Response from Mel Tucker’s team on the Title IX hearing resolution that was made public yesterday: pic.twitter.com/FahF70OxKU

— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) October 26, 2023

“The school’s decision following a hearing that Coach Mel Tucker was medically unable to attend – and which his lawyers were likewise precluded from attending in his absence – accordingly comes as no surprise,” they wrote. “The decision is fraught with countless factual and legal errors, all of which will be the subject of an immediate appeal and subsequent lawsuit if necessary.”

“The hearing and decision are purely academic as the purpose of the hearing was ostensibly to determine what if any punishment (reprimand, suspension, fine, or termination) would be imposed if the coach were found responsible,” they continued. “Since the school chose to issue a termination prior to the hearing, the decision is of zero practical import and merely reflects the biased and completely dysfunctional administration of the school’s OIE office.”

On Wednesday, Michigan State issued a 73-page report on Wednesday from a hearing officer. They found that Tucker both exploited and sexually harassed Brenda Tracy during a phone call in April 2022.

During the call, which took place eight months after Tucker brought Tracy in as a guest speaker, he made sexual comments and masturbated without her consent. In addition, the report found Tucker made “unwanted sexual advances” toward Tracy months before the call according to USA Today.

“In sum, considering all available evidence, the Resolution Officer finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Respondent subjected Claimant to unwelcome conduct based on sex when he FaceTime video called Claimant without a shirt on; when he attempted to meet up with Claimant alone following the Spring Game; and when he non-consensually masturbated and used graphic, sexual language on a phone call with Claimant,” the report said, via USA Today.

Michigan State initially chose initially to suspend Tucker back on September 10th after USA Today reported the accusations against him. The university then shared their intention to fire him for cause on September 18th. Ultimately, the Spartans went through with the move and Tucker is threatening legal action as a result.

Tucker has maintained that his connection or relationship with Tracy was a consensual one. That continues to come into question, though, including with the latest news that she was granted a restraining order against him.

This is a natural response from the opposite side of this matter. The question now is what comes next as the situation continues to unfold away from the field in East Lansing.