Report: Outside attorney denies Mel Tucker appeal in Michigan State sexual harassment case

Michigan State, as an institution, has closed the book on investigations and disciplinary matters involving former head football coach Mel Tucker. This week, an outside attorney hired by the school denied appeals by Tucker “on all fronts” in a 24-page report, according to USA Today’s Kenny Jacoby.

Michigan State fired Tucker after public revelations that he apparently had an improper relation with, and sexually harassed, rape and sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy, who has created a business on education and informing athletes about sexual and relationship violence. A university Title IX investigation, started after Tracy filed a formal complaint, eventually found that Tucker had sexually harassed Tracy.

And now Tucker’s extralegal appeals of that investigation and process have run out as Tennessee-based attorney Courtney Bullard upheld the decision from the Title IX investigation. Bullard is the founder of Institutional Compliance Solutions, a consulting firm.

“Based on the facts outlined in the record, the (Resolution Officer) had a reasonable basis for each of the challenged findings. The RO’s Decision is upheld. This decision is final,” Bullard wrote, according to USA Today.

Tucker was fired for cause by Michigan State, potentially costing him upwards of $60 million that he was still owed on his contract with the school. Tucker still has the ability to file a suit against Michigan State for wrongful termination, among other claims.

Michigan State can now also take further actions to sanction Tucker, even though he is no longer an employee. He can be banned from campus, future employment or participating in school activities like attending sporting events.

The initial Title IX investigation found that Tucker violated the university’s sexual harassment policy

The university issued a 73-page report in October, in which a hearing officer from the university found Tucker exploited and sexually harassed Tracy during an April 2022 phone call. 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.