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Summary:
- Michigan State Hearing Officer has concluded that Mel Tucker is guilty of sexual misconduct
- Amanda Norris Ames filed a 73 page report documenting her findings that led her to conclude Tucker was guilty
- Ames said multiple contradictory statements from Tucker made his version difficult to believe
Michigan State suspended football coach Mel Tucker in September after news broke in the media that Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct which he went on to deny.
Tucker was accused of violating Michigan State’s sexual misconduct policy by harassing Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and activist who provided her services to Michigan State.
Hearing Officer Finds Tucker Guilty
Michigan State hired a third party to investigate the incident and also carried out its own internal investigation into the matter. Michigan State Hearing Officer Amanda Norris Ames investigated the allegations and concluded that Tucker was guilty of violating the sexual misconduct policy.
Tucker who is one of the highest paid football coaches in the country initially Tracy to be a sexual violence prevention educator. Tucker claims that the two of them had a consensual relationship that resulted in him offering her gifts and engaging in a video sex call where he masturbated.
Tracy filed a complaint with Michigan State and later went public with her allegations as she claims that Tucker violated her and did things without her consent. Tucker claims that Tracy turned hostile and decided to get back at him after he paused their business relationship.
Hearing Officer Amanda Norris Ames filed a 73 page report with Michigan State and said that based on her findings, there were too many contradictory statements from Tucker that made it difficult for her to believe his side of the story.
Tucker Has The Option To File An Appeal
The 73 page report ends by saying
In sum, considering all available evidence, the Resolution Officer finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Respondent subjected Claimant to unwelcome conduct based on sex when he FaceTime video called Claimant without a shirt on; when he attempted to meet up with Claimant alone following the Spring Game; and when he non-consensually masturbated and used graphic, sexual language on a phone call with Claimant.
The Hearing Officer’s report is not the final conclusion of the investigation as the investigation is not yet closed. Tucker has the option to file an appeal if he want to avoid termination from his role as football coach which must be done within 10 working days.
