Mat Ishbia and UWM sued by Brenda Tracy, ex-MSU coach Mel Tucker's accuser

Brenda Tracy, who accused former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker of sexual harassment, is suing United Wholesale Mortgage and CEO Mat Ishbia. The lawsuit, first reported by Crain's Detroit Business , accuses UWM and Ishbia of interfering with the investigation into Tucker's alleged behavior. As part of a USA TODAY investigation, Tracy in 2023 accused Tucker of sexual harassment related to a December 2021 phone call.

According to Tracy, a professional advocate for sexual assault victims, Tucker masturbated on the phone during their conversation without Tracy's consent, though Tucker maintains the phone sex was consensual. ON THE FIELD: Michigan State football must vacate wins for NCAA violations in Mel Tucker era Tucker was fired shortly after the USA TODAY story was released. Tracy later sued Tucker for defamation, but the lawsuit against Tucker was thrown out by an Ingham County judge in January.

Tucker sued for wrongful termination against MSU arguing that he is owed his remaining salary; that lawsuit is still pending. This new lawsuit adds to the list of legal complaints related to the Tucker saga, and adds a new complaint against Ishbia and UWM. Tracy accuses Ishbia of interference Tracy accuses Ishbia and UWM executives of using "donor-connected access and aligned counsel [to insert] themselves into a matter that was none of their business.

” The lawsuit names nine different allegations, including invasion of privacy and a violation of Michigan's Consumer Protection Act, accusing Ishbia of keeping tabs on the investigation to help protect Michigan State's brand. Ishbia, who has been CEO of UWM since 2013, was a walk-on on Michigan State's 2000 national championship team, graduated from Michigan State in 2002 and has been a longtime donor to MSU's athletic program. He is also the majority owner of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, which he purchased in a $4 billion deal in 2022.