Mel Tucker Lawyer Says “No Grounds To Terminate Contract”

Summary:

• MSU had given head coach Mel Tucker notice of their intent to terminate his contract
• Tucker was told he had 7 days to respond and make a case why he should not be sacked
• Tucker’s legal team have sent in a 25 page doc outlining reasons why he must not be terminated

Michigan State University (MSU) informed head coach Mel Tucker last week that they intended to terminate his contract and not pay him the $79 million that he was due. They made the decision after allegations emerged that Tucker had engaged in sexual harassment and told him they had credible evidence against him.

Allan Haller, athletic director for MSU gave Tucker 7 days to respond and clarify why MSU should not terminate his contract. Tucker hired legal firm Foley & Lardner LLP who sent in a 25 page doc to MSU on Sep 25 outlining multiple reasons why Tucker should not have his college football contract terminated.

Lawyer’s Respond To MSU Intent To Fire

The letter to MSU says

Tucker did not engage in unprofessional or unethical behavior or ‘moral turpitude’ by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, as discussed below, under Michigan law, assault and battery does not even constitute ‘moral turpitude,’ and the flimsy foundation of the university’s finding — a private relationship involving mutual flirting and one instance of consensual phone sex — falls far short of the mark.

The letter alleges that MSU accepted the allegations against Tucker and started proceedings against him without taking the time to carry out a meaningful review of the alleged facts. The letter goes on to criticize MSU for not being able to maintain the confidentiality of the incident and proceedings thereafter and emphasizes that Tucker did not breach his contract!

Legal Firm Argues That Relationship Was Consensual Not Forced

Tucker was accused of sexually harassing Brenda Tracy who is a speaker on sexual assault awareness. Tucker and his legal firm claim that the two of them had a consensual relationship which included having phone sex, something that Tracy has denied claiming that it wasn’t consensual.

MSU has been accused in the letter of not carrying out a professional investigation into the alleged claims against Tucker who is currently suspended without pay. The letter also makes reference to MSU’s history with sexual predator Larry Nassar and says Tucker has been turned into a fall guy!