LANSING — Former Michigan State College soccer coach Mel Tucker has taken steps to sue the varsity if it does not pay for his protection in a lawsuit introduced by Brenda Tracy.
MSU fired Tucker for trigger in 2023 following Tracy’s report back to the varsity that he sexually harassed her whereas she was a college vendor. Tracy is a outstanding nationwide advocate for abuse survivors who filed a criticism in December 2022. The varsity’s investigation later decided that Tucker violated the varsity’s sexual harassment coverage. Tucker has denied any wrongdoing.
In October, Tracy sued Tucker in Ingham County Circuit Courtroom, claiming she misplaced future earnings and suffered psychologically and emotionally due to Tucker’s false statements, together with his claims that she made up allegations in a plot to extort him and the varsity for cash.
On Friday, Andrew Abood, considered one of Tucker’s attorneys, filed a discover of intent to sue the college, a requirement underneath state legislation.
Within the discover, Abood wrote that Tracy’s lawsuit is predicated on Tucker’s conduct in his official capability so he is entitled to a university-provided protection, as a part of his contract and college coverage. He added that MSU had beforehand declined to cowl Tucker’s authorized prices. Abood wrote {that a} ensuing lawsuit will looking for at the very least $125,000.
Michigan State’s head coach Mel Tucker calls out to gamers in the course of the opening day of fall camp on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, on the MSU campus in East Lansing.
Tracy and her legal professional are nonetheless attempting to serve Tucker together with her lawsuit.
In mid-March, Ingham County Circuit Courtroom Choose Wanda Stokes granted a movement from Karen Truszkowski, Tracy’s legal professional, that allowed for various strategies of serving Tucker with Tracy’s lawsuit. Truszkowski wrote within the movement that a number of makes an attempt to succeed in Tucker at prior addresses had failed. She added that Tucker’s attorneys would not settle for the service on his behalf, successfully placing the case at a standstill.
Messages had been left looking for remark from Abood and MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant. Truszkowski declined to remark.
If Friday’s discover of intent to sue leads to litigation, will probably be the second lively lawsuit between Tucker and the varsity that when signed him to some of the profitable contract extensions in school sports activities. The 2022 extension assured him about $95 million throughout a decade, except he was fired for trigger.
In 2024, Tucker filed a federal lawsuit towards MSU over his firing the yr prior. His lawsuit claims the college ran an “improper, biased, and sham investigation” that was designed to fireside him following Tracy’s report. Tucker, a Black man, additionally claimed faculty officers discriminated towards him primarily based on his race.
The federal lawsuit continues to be pending, though in October the college requested the choose to dismiss it.
Reporter Sarah Atwood contributed to this story. Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at mjmencarini@lsj.com.
This text initially appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mel Tucker to sue MSU except faculty pays for protection in Tracy lawsuit
