In the lawsuit, which names former interim President Teresa Woodruff, board of trustee members, and others, Tucker’s attorney argues that “his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection” were violated. The suit claims that his employment agreement was breached when he was terminated following Brenda Tracy’s allegations of sexual harassment. Tucker was initially suspended and later fired when these accusations surfaced last year. Tracy first filed a complaint with the school in late 2022 and subsequently with the school’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education.
The coach was dismissed before a hearing could take place, where it was determined that Tucker violated several terms of his contract.
“The Defendants ultimately terminated Plaintiff’s contract on transparently pretextual grounds without first providing Plaintiff a hearing to confront the false accusation against him, as required under University rules and as a matter of law, in gross violation of Plaintiff’s right to due process,” Tucker’s attorney wrote.
The lawsuit contends that the school’s actions were driven by administrators’ fears of backlash similar to that faced by other leaders in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges racial discrimination against Tucker.
“The actions taken against Plaintiff stand in stark contrast to the manner in which the Defendants treated his white counterparts who, in the face of far more serious allegations, had no such similar action taken against them,” the suit states.
Tucker is seeking compensation for lost wages and legal fees. He had about $80 million remaining on a $95 million contract at the time of his firing.
Tucker believes the university did not treat him fairly and lacked sufficient grounds for his dismissal
“By improperly weaponizing the University’s investigative procedures against Plaintiff,” the lawsuit states, according to USA Today, “The Defendants have caused, and continue to cause, Plaintiff to experience severe emotional harm and suffering, and have caused hundreds of millions in damages.”
Rita Glavin, Tucker’s attorney, stated that Michigan State’s conduct was both shameful and illegal.
“MSU’s conduct was not only shameful, it was illegal,” the statement read. “Mel looks forward to vindication.”
Brenda Tracy accused Mel Tucker of multiple inappropriate acts, including masturbating during a phone call between the two. Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller deemed Tucker’s actions unprofessional and unethical, leading to his termination.
“It is decidedly unprofessional and unethical to flirt, make sexual comments, and masturbate while on the phone with a University vendor,” Haller wrote in his termination letter to Tucker. “Your unconvincing rationalizations and misguided attempts to shift responsibility cannot and do not excuse your own behavior.”
Tucker believes his termination was unjust and claims it only occurred because Tracy released confidential case details to USA Today.
“Once Tracy’s claims and the illegitimate investigative materials were made public by Tracy herself,” the lawsuit states, “University officials conspired to establish a pretextual basis to terminate Plaintiff’s contract without a hearing.”
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