Woman at center of Mel Tucker scandal speaks out, sues Michigan State University over identity leak

Tracy seeks unspecified damages, saying she’s suffered psychological distress and lost income

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The woman at the center of the scandal that led to Mel Tucker losing his $90 million Michigan State University coaching contract is speaking out.

This time, Brenda Tracy is speaking out against MSU officials, claiming they leaked her name during the sexual harassment investigation.

“I’m seeking accountability for the harm that’s been done to me. I mean, it was more than just Mel Tucker,” said Tracy.

Michigan State University faces a new federal lawsuit by sexual assault survivor Brenda Tracy. (Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.)

Tracy spoke to Local 4 on the newly filed 51-page lawsuit aimed at MSU’s board of trustees, along with two board members specifically, claiming they leaked her name during the investigation of the Tucker sexual harassment allegations.

“My name was leaked. I’ve been shamed, defamed. I was victim-blamed. I mean, it’s just as insanity, like what has happened,” Tracy said.

Tracy says even to this day, she’s still feeling the effects of negativity linked to her name as a result.

Initially, she thought her name would’ve been kept under wraps.

“I knew that it was going to be a huge scandal, you know, if it got out, and I really wanted to go through the process without the input of anyone else.

I wanted the process to play out the way it is supposed to, and I wanted MSU to do what they were supposed to be doing,”

Brenda Tracy

But during the early days of the investigation, she says she had no choice but to come forward herself as rumors started to spread.

“I really like that I held firm for as long as I could. I did not want to come forward. But then, right there, right before I went, I went public with USA Today.

It’s just that people knew it was me. It was out.

The media knew it was only a matter of time before the story and my name hit the media, and at that point, I wanted to protect myself with the facts.”

Brenda Tracy

The lawsuit also claims the school should have addressed some of the more negative comments that Tracy received after she was forced to come forward.

In addition to seeking punitive damages, Tracy hopes that other schools and universities can also learn from the suit.

“I hope that the judgment is such that it sends a message to other institutions that you need to be more intentional and careful with survivor stories and cases,” Tracy said.

We reached out to MSU about the lawsuit. The institution is stating, “No comment’ at this time.


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