by
Former Coach Mel Tucker
Michigan State University has spent nearly $800,000 in legal fees so far dealing with lawsuits involving fired football coach Mel Tucker and sexual assault prevention advocate Brenda Tracy, who accused Tucker of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, the Detroit News reports.
Sarah Atwood of The News reports that one of at least four lawsuits was dismissed in the past week.
In one suit alone, MSU has spent more than $592,000 defending against claims by Tucker that he was wrongfully terminated in September 2024 after Tracy's accusations. He alleges the university fired him hastily and without due process or cause to make up for its poor handling of previous scandals. He also says he was treated unfairly because he is Black.
The university would still contractually owe Tucker $80 million if it were determined that he was fired without cause.
Tracy’s federal lawsuit alleges MSU mishandled her sexual harassment complaint against Tucker and that trustees leaked her name to the media and the public at large, resulting in threats and harassment.
