Michigan State investigation finds Mel Tucker sexually harassed rape survivor

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Former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker has been found responsible for violating the school's sexual harassment policy – a huge victory for the woman who accused him, prominent rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy, and a permanent stain on the reputation of one of the nation’s highest-paid coaches.


In a 73-page report issued Wednesday afternoon, a university hearing officer determined Tucker sexually harassed and exploited Tracy when he masturbated and made sexual comments without her consent during an April 2022 phone call, eight months after he hired her as a sexual violence prevention educator.

The officer also found Tucker made unwanted sexual advances toward Tracy in the months before the call and engaged in quid pro quo sexual harassment after, when he subsequently ended their business relationship.

Tucker's account to the investigator – that he and Tracy had been in a romantic relationship and had consensual "phone sex" – was deemed less plausible, less consistent and less supported by the evidence than Tracy's, according to the report, which Tracy shared with USA TODAY.

The report concludes: "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."

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