Tracy — a rape survivor and advocate MSU found to have been harassed by Tucker while working for his team — sued Tucker in October 2024 for defaming her by asserting that they had a consensual relationship.

The notice argues that Tucker is entitled to a university-provided defense because Tracy’s lawsuit is based on Tucker’s conduct in his official capacity, according to a Lansing State Journal report. If MSU does not indemnify Tucker, the lawsuit will seek at least $125,000.

MSU Chief Communications Officer Emily Guerrant was not available for immediate comment.

Meanwhile, Tracy and her attorney, Karen Truszkowski, are still attempting to serve Tucker with the defamation suit.

Last month, an Ingham County judge ordered alternate service of the suit after Truszkowski claimed Tucker was evading attempts to serve him. The court ordered the suit to be mailed to Tucker’s last known address, affixed to the front entrance of his last known address and posted in a local newspaper, if possible. If Tucker does not respond to these alternate services by signing a summons to appear in court, a default judgment in Tracy’s favor will be ruled. 

Tucker is already involved in another lawsuit against the university, in which he alleges that the university officials improperly decided to fire him to protect their own reputations, avoid paying the $80 million remaining in his ten-year contract and because Tucker is Black. That lawsuit is still pending, although the university asked the judge to dismiss it.