- Mel Tucker and his lawyers were hit with a temporary restraining order
- You are prohibited from publishing any further text messages from Brenda Tracy
- provides the latest international sports news
Fired Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker and his attorneys have been hit with a temporary restraining order temporarily banning them from releasing additional text messages sent to him by the woman accusing him of sexual harassment.
Brenda Tracy, a well-known rape survivor and victims’ rights advocate, recently accused Tucker of sexual harassment after she began speaking to the Spartans team in 2021. USA Today reports that Tracy claims Tucker sent her gifts, made unwanted sexual comments and masturbated without her consent during a phone conversation. Tracy visited the university twice in 2021 and 2022 to speak to the football team about preventing sexual misconduct, the report said, and was even named an honorary captain of the team.
Tucker was investigated by the school, placed on leave and ultimately released by Michigan State, which terminated the remainder of his 10-year, $95 million contract last month.
He responded to the allegations on Thursday by releasing 98 pages of heavily redacted text messages between Tracy and her best friend Ahlan Alvarado, who reportedly died in a car accident in June. Tucker and his lawyers claim the messages contain “newly discovered evidence” that refutes Tracy’s allegations.
Tucker, who is married but is reportedly estranged from his wife, also released a letter claiming he was in a relationship with Tracy and that the two had consensual phone sex.
Mel Tucker and his lawyers were hit with a temporary 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 placed me in a position where I must protect the lives and confidential information of third parties unrelated to this case,” Tracy said in an email statement to The Detroit Free Press.
“It is troubling 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 deeply grieve for my friend, who did not deserve this terrible betrayal by someone close to her, and I am angered by the gross violation of my and her privacy.”
Judge James S. Jamo granted the motion Friday, saying Tracy had shown the need to stop Tucker and his lawyers from causing her irreparable harm by releasing the text messages.
‘[The] “Protected, personal, private and sensitive business information relating to sexual assault survivors and employees … was collected in violation of Michigan law,” said a copy of the ruling obtained by USA Today.
Alvarado, who worked for Tracy’s nonprofit, was a witness in the sexual harassment trial against Tucker before he died in the aforementioned June car accident.
Her text messages contained “highly sensitive information about other survivors and their families,” Tracy said in Friday’s affidavit.
It remains unclear how Tucker’s team obtained the text messages.
The injunction is valid until October 17th.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker leads his team in black onto the field before the opening game
Tucker’s lawyers have asked university officials and representatives to preserve all documents related to the investigation “pending litigation” against the school.
Attorney Jennifer Belveal sent the request to Michigan Attorney General Brian Quinn last month following what she called an “illegal termination of Mel Tucker’s contract.” Belveal requested 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 for what he described as consensual phone sex with an activist and rape survivor.
The school said it terminated the remainder of Tucker’s 10-year, $95 million contract because he acknowledged actions that ridiculed the institution, breached his contract and were morally turpicious. MIchigan State said Tucker did not provide sufficient reasons why he should not be fired for cause.