Mel Tucker attorney wants Michigan State to preserve documents for potential lawsuit
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker walks the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Richmond, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller has informed suspended football coach Mel Tucker he is being fired for cause without compensation for his conduct with activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy. “The notice provides Tucker with seven calendar days to respond and present reasons to me and the interim president as to why he should not be terminated for cause,” Haller said in a statement sent by the school on Monday, Sept. 18. Credit: AP/Al Goldis
EAST LANSING, Mich. — An attorney for fired Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker has asked university officials and representatives to preserve all documents related to the investigation “in anticipation of litigation” against the university.
Attorney Jennifer Belveal sent the request to Michigan State general counsel Brian Quinn on Thursday 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.
Brenda Tracy, the activist and rape survivor, said Tucker sexually harassed her during the phone call in April 2022. Several months later, Tracy filed a complaint with the school’s Title IX office.
“Failure to preserve such records will result in a negative litigation inference against the university and other potential defendants,” the letter stated.
