After Michigan State filed notice with Mel Tucker that it intends to terminate his contract for cause on Monday, Tucker's camp responded on Tuesday.
"I can only conclude that MSU does not care about my rights, the truth, or its future liability for policing its employees' private lives," the statement said in part.
Since the investigation into his relationship with sexual assault activist Brenda Tracy was first reported last Saturday, Tucker has argued that the two entered into a consensual, long-distance relationship (Tracy argues they were not in a relationship, and his masturbating during a phone call and other sexually-charged comments constituted sexual harassment) and that any of his conduct with Tracy was outside Michigan State's authority over him as his employer.
In Tuesday's statement, Tucker continues attacking Michigan State for running an unfair investigation. He argues that he was fired not for his actions with Tracy (Tracy filed her complaint with MSU last December), but for the public reporting of his relationship with Tracy. He also argued Michigan State terminated him "sanctimoniously and illogically" before a hearing on Oct. 5-6, at which time Tucker planned to argue he did not sexually harass Tracy and that Michigan State did not have the authority to police his private actions. (Tucker was allegedly on a Michigan State recruiting trip during the infamous spring 2022 phone call.)
Tucker also said he informed AD Alan Haller of its intent to take medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act for "a serious health condition" before he was fired. FMLA is a 1993 law that intends to protect covered employees from termination for taking unpaid medical leave.
Tucker was owed a remaining $75 million as part of a 10-year contract signed in November 2021. Tuesday's statement implies he intends to sue for that money.
"I look forward to one day obtaining discovery against MSU, including the Trustees and the Athletic Department, to see what they really knew and said about this matter, as well as their motives in handling the entire investigative process," Tucker said.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.