Civil rights lawyer: ‘It is amazing’ Mel Tucker wasn’t instantly suspended (MLive)
Extract:
Mel Tucker’s football future is in doubt and Michigan State is mired in another high-profile scandal. That much is clear, but there are unanswered questions as the fourth-year coach faces allegations of sexual harassment.
At the forefront: Why did Michigan State leadership wait until everything became public to act?
Less than 24 hours after USA TODAY published an explosive report outlining claims by Brenda Tracy against Tucker, athletic director Alan Haller on Sunday announced Tucker was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the university investigation.
Haller said he was made aware in late December of the complaint. Michigan State hired an independent investigator to look into the claims, and they submitted a report on July 25. The recommendation was for a formal hearing, which is scheduled for early October.
“It is amazing to me they didn’t instantly put (Tucker) on leave,” said Ann Olivarius, an international attorney with four decades of experience practicing law. “The facts are pretty straightforward.”
