Fired Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker and his attorneys have been hit with an emergency restraining order that temporarily bars them from releasing any more text messages sent to him by the woman accusing him of sexual harassment.
Brenda Tracy, a well-known rape survivor and advocate for victims’ rights, recently accused Tucker of sexual harassing after she began speaking to the Spartans team in 2021. USA Today reports that Tracy alleges Tucker sent her gifts, made unwanted sexual remarks and masturbated without her consent during a phone call. Tracy visited the university on two occasions in 2021 and 2022 to speak to the football team about preventing sexual misconduct, the report claims, and was even made an honorary captain of the team.
Tucker was investigated by the school, placed on leave and ultimately fired by Michigan State, which terminated the remainder of his 10-year, $95 million contract last month.
He responded to the accusations on Thursday by publicizing 98 pages of heavily redacted text messages between Tracy and her best friend, Ahlan Alvarado, who reportedly died in a car crash in June. Tucker and his attorneys claim the messages have ‘newly discovered evidence’ that discredit’s Tracy’s accusations.
Tucker, who is married but reportedly estranged from his wife, also released a letter claiming he was in a relationship with Tracy and the two had consensual phone sex.
Mel Tucker and his attorneys have been hit with an emergency restraining order
Tracy is a sexual assault survivor who speaks to teams, like Michigan State, about consent
‘The actions of Mel Tucker and his legal team have put me in a position where I must protect the lives and the confidential information of third parties that have nothing to do with this case,’ Tracy told The Detroit Free Press in an emailed statement.
‘It is distressing to me that the man who abused me has access to every intimate detail of my life, my business, and my nonprofit, through my best friend’s phone,’ Tracy’s statement continued. ‘I grieve deeply for my friend who does not deserve this horrific betrayal by someone close to her, and I am angered by the gross violation of my privacy and hers.’
Judge James S. Jamo granted the motion Friday, saying that Tracy has shown the need to stop Tucker and his attorneys from causing her irreparable harm by releasing the text messages.
‘[The] protected, personal, private, and sensitive business information related to sexual assault survivors and employees… was gathered in violation of Michigan law,’ read a copy of the ruling, obtained by USA Today.
Alvarado, who worked for Tracy’s nonprofit, was a witness in the sexual harassment case against Tucker before dying in the aforementioned June car crash.
Their text messages involved ‘highly sensitive information regarding other survivors and their families,’ Tracy said in Friday’s affidavit.
It remains unclear how Tucker’s team obtained the text messages.
The restraining order lasts until October 17.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, in black, leads his team onto the field before their opener
Tucker’s attorneys have asked university officials and representatives to preserve all documents related to the investigation ‘in anticipation of litigation’ against the school.
Attorney Jennifer Belveal sent the request to Michigan State general counsel Brian Quinn last month after what she called the ‘illegal termination of Mel Tucker’s contract.’ Belveal wanted preservation of electronic and paper documents and listed a number of school officials and others.
It came a day after Michigan State fired the previously suspended Tucker over what he described as consensual phone sex with an activist and rape survivor.
The school said it terminated what’s left of Tucker’s $95 million, 10-year contract for acknowledging actions that subjected the institution to ridicule, breaching his contract and moral turpitude. MIchigan State said Tucker failed to offer adequate reasons why he should not be fired for cause.
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