EXTERNAL REVIEW FINDS NO ‘CREDIBLE EVIDENCE’ OF WHO LEAKED SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT BY ACTIVIST AGAINST FORMER MSU FOOTBALL COACH
A recent external review conducted by the Detroit-based law firm Jones Day has found no “credible evidence” to determine who leaked the name of activist Brenda Tracy, who reported former Michigan State University football coach Mel Tucker for sexual harassment.
Tracy’s name was reportedly leaked to the media before her complaint about alleged harassment by Tucker went through the full Office of Institutional Equity process.
The review, released by the university on Friday, also found that someone associated with the MSU Board of Trustees leaked a statement from Tracy’s attorney about a trustee being behind the leak. However, the report did not determine which of the 12 people who received the draft statement leaked it.
Investigators also disproved the allegations made by Tracy’s attorney that a trustee leaked the information to the media, stating that no credible evidence was found to support this claim.
Tracy, who went public with her accusations against Tucker in a USA Today story, said she learned her identity had been leaked, prompting her to take action.
In October, a MSU hearing officer determined that Tucker sexually harassed Tracy and violated his contract. As a result, Tucker was fired by the university.
Every trustee except Dennis Denno cooperated with the investigation, allowing investigators to review their personal cellphones for evidence. Denno refused to speak to investigators or allow them to look at his phone.
According to the report, at least 44 people associated with MSU were aware of the OIE investigation before the USA Today story’s publication. However, the investigation was hindered by factors such as journalists’ reluctance to reveal their sources and the refusal of certain individuals to fully participate.
While the report could not conclude that there was a leak from anyone within MSU, it did find evidence that some members of the media became aware of the matter through the complainant.
MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff expressed disappointment that a breach occurred but affirmed that the university takes privacy during OIE investigations very seriously. Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar also echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the board takes OIE investigations and privacy seriously.
During a recent board meeting, Vassar announced that the board did not leak Tracy’s name, stating that they were not aware of the name of the claimant before it was published.
In conclusion, the report acknowledges that the investigation was constrained by various factors and did not produce a definitive conclusion. Despite this, the university remains committed to upholding the privacy and integrity of OIE investigations.