Melissa Wilhelmsen, the woman who filed a $7.5 million sexual harassment claim against former Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, filed an additional $8.5 million claim against him and the university on Friday, according to Tucson.com.
The second claim states the university is "vicariously culpable" for Rodriguez's actions, allegedly committed while he was an employee at the school. Apart from allegations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile working environment, the claim also accuses Rodriguez of "slander, defamation and false light, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress."
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That includes a Jan. 9 meeting in which Rodriguez and his wife met with former players to address the allegations made against him. Rodriguez, who was fired on Jan. 2, responded on Sunday by calling Wilhelmsen's second claim "absolutely false."
My family and I are thankful for all of your continued support. We are responding with respect to the legal process. As you can imagine we are (more than) eager for the facts to come out because the truth is on our side. We are aware of the amended complaint. See below. 👇🏽RR pic.twitter.com/qqjTXRLatt
— Rich Rodriguez (@RealCoachRod) January 21, 2018
Rodriguez, however, has admitted to the extramarital affair.
In Wilhelmsen's initial claim, filed with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, she accuses Rodriguez of not only initiating unwanted sexual contact with her, but also of forcing her to help cover up said affair, which included a "Triangle of Secrecy" and “Hideaway Book."
