Yesterday was the last of the two-day long Office of Institutional Equity hearing into Tucker’s alleged sexual misconduct. Tracy filed a Title IX report against Tucker in December 2022, claiming he made sexual comments and non-consensually masturbated on a phone call with her while she was teaching his team about sexual violence prevention. 

But Tucker and his attorney, Jennifer Belveal, didn’t show up to the hearing, claiming Tucker’s “serious medical condition” prohibited him from attending. Instead, 14 minutes into the hearing, they publicly released a 106-page document containing “new evidence” and messages from Tracy’s private conversations with a recently-deceased friend and colleague, Ahlan Alvarado. Tucker and Belveal claim the texts reveal Tracy misled investigators and manipulated witnesses and MSU officials. 

Those texts also contain “highly sensitive information regarding other survivors and their families," according to an affidavit Tracy filed with her motion for the restraining order, obtained by USA Today. Alvarado worked with Tracy at her sexual violence prevention nonprofit, Set The Expectation (STE). 

The Detroit News reported that the judge's order prohibits Tucker's legal team from "releasing, possessing, using, distributing, retaining any messages, calls, text, emails, and any other data and/or information from Ahlan Alvarado's cellphone ... relating in any way to ... Brenda Tracy, LLC, Set the Expectation LLC, its board, members, directors, officers, agents, associates, organizers, employees, clients, and/or sexual assault victims with whom they are associated."

“As the founder of STE, survivors look to me as a support and confidant,” Tracy’s affidavit said. “I am oftentimes the sole person that the survivor confides in. These survivors have not disclosed what has happened to their families and friends.” 

Tucker’s attorney did not say how the text exchange was obtained, and Jamo’s order said it appeared it was gathered illegally. Tracy’s affidavit points to Alvarado’s husband, Agustin Alvarado, as the source of the leak. He is listed as a defendant along with Tucker and his attorney. 

“It is distressing to me that the man who abused me has access to every intimate detail of my life, my business, and my nonprofit, through my best friend’s phone,” Tracy said in an alleged statement to USA Today. “I grieve deeply for my friend who does not deserve this horrific betrayal by someone close to her, and I am angered by the gross violation of my privacy and hers.”

Attorneys for Tucker and Tracy did not return calls and messages from The State News at the time of publication. 

What’s next?

The hearing concluded without mention of Tucker’s new allegations, Tracy said. Tucker and Belveal will have to ask to admit their findings as new evidence once Hearing Officer Amanda Norris Ames concludes whether Tucker’s behavior violated university policy. Norris Ames has 20 days to issue a report with her determination.

Another hearing will take place on Oct. 17 to determine whether the restraining order should end or be modified or extended.