Brenda Tracy reacts to suspended MSU coach Mel Tucker’s statement: ‘More of the same lie’

FOX 2 (WJBK) – A sexual assault survivor, activist and advocate who claims Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker sexually harassed her, issued a statement Monday night.

Brenda Tracy issued a statement earlier in the day in response to Mel Tucker’s release. Tucker, suspended while the school investigates, blasted the process as biased and said the allegations were “absolutely false.”

Tracy even accused Tucker of obstructing the investigation in a brief but terse statement.

“This is more of the same DARVO, deflection, victim blaming and lies I’ve been dealing with for months now,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Coach Tucker has been delaying and trying to shut down the investigation process from the start.”

Tracy is an activist who speaks to college teams about sexual violence.Tucker has spoken to athletes many times.

A hearing will be held on October 5th and 6th which Tracy indicated in his statement

“He cannot go to a hearing that determines the credibility of the participating parties. I believe this statement is a way out of participating in the hearing.

On October 5th and 6th I will attend the hearing and make myself available for cross-examination by his attorney Jennifer Bellville. I invite him to do the same.”

More: Suspended MSU coach Mel Tucker calls sexual harassment allegations ‘completely false’

A report by USA Today announced the existence of an investigation against Tucker, alleging that he sexually harassed a rape survivor who had been invited to a university campus to speak about sexual misconduct prevention. In it, Tucker is described as masturbating and making sexual comments to Tracy over the phone.

On Sunday, AD Alan Haller said the school has placed Tucker on unpaid leave pending the results of the investigation, which was conducted under the school’s Office of Civil Rights.

Earlier Monday, interim president Teresa Woodruff said from the beginning, the university was “focused on conducting a fair, thorough and impartial investigation and hearing.”

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 26: Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker speaks during Big Ten Football Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Indiana, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

“Interim measures, including increased monitoring and restrictions on mail tuck operations, were considered and implemented throughout the process,” he wrote in a statement to the school.

In Tucker’s statement, he characterized his relationship with Tracy as “personal” and one in which they shared “deeply personal and private information with each other.” He also acknowledged the phone call in question, but claimed it was outside the jurisdiction of a Title IX investigation.

“While I am saddened by Ms. Tracy’s revelation of the sensitive nature of this call, let me be perfectly clear – this was a completely mutual, private event between two adults living on opposite sides of the country. She began the conversation that night, sending me a provocative photo of the two of us together. sent, suggesting what she might look like without clothes, and not once in 36 minutes did she object in any way, never hung up.”

According to Woodruff, he, some members of the board of trustees, the director of athletics were made aware of the existence of a complaint in December, but the complaint was not detailed. A full report was submitted to both parties on July 25 and the case was referred to the Third Party Resolution Officer for hearing.

It is scheduled for October 5 and 6.

“This case is ongoing and will not end until the hearing is decided and a possible appeal is concluded,” read Woodruff’s statement Monday.

In Tucker’s statement, he called the scheduled hearing “ridiculously flawed and not designed to get to the truth.”