Litigated FOIA Appeal: University of Michigan Records Missing for Sara Abraham Complaint Interviews
Following the University of Michigan's FOIA release concerning Sara Abraham's complaints, Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou submitted additional Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in February 2022 seeking records related to interviews conducted by the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel and Human Resources.
The request sought records related to interviews of Dr. Myria Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and Duaa Altaee conducted during the University's internal investigation of Abraham's complaints. During those interviews, University officials questioned Dr. Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and Duaa Altaee about their families, their home, and the Greek Orthodox Church attended by Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster.
Dr. Foerster paid the required 50 percent FOIA deposit of $108, and the University estimated a processing time of approximately 80 business days. The University subsequently took multiple extensions before issuing its response.
After more than nine months without a substantive determination, Dr. Foerster filed a litigated FOIA appeal on November 24, 2022. The University opposed the appeal.
On January 30, 2023, the University denied the request, stating that it located "no responsive records," and refunded the $108 FOIA deposit. The University's response is reproduced below.
The University acknowledged that the interviews had occurred during its Office of General Counsel and Human Resources investigation of Abraham's complaints. Despite acknowledging those interviews, the University reported that it located no records documenting them.
The January 2023 response followed an earlier FOIA release concerning Abraham's complaints, which produced the complaints themselves but no official records documenting the Office of General Counsel and Human Resources investigation.
Separate records further document that Abraham asserted allegations including antisemitism, sexual harassment, and financial irregularities. Those allegations were not documented in the faculty files later obtained by Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster following their departures from the University.
Separate FOIA records further reflect that the University did not enter into a financial settlement with Abraham despite requests for such a settlement.
According to publicly available information, Sara Abraham is currently employed as a public school teacher in Dearborn, Michigan.
University of Michigan Litigated FOIA appeal: Constructive denial for Sara Abraham complaint interview records.
Selected Reporting
- Bradley Foerster Submits 140-Exhibit, 1,121-Page Documentary Chronology to FBI for Supervisory Review of the Investigation Involving Dr. Bradley Foerster, Dr. Myria Petrou, and Duaa Altaee
- From One FBI File to a Legislative Proposal: Peter and Maria Foerster Ask Senator Van Hollen's Office and Congressman Jamie Raskin to Consider a Uniform Administrative Framework for Federal Investigations
- Eva Feldman Documentary Chronology: 139 Exhibits on NIH R01NS082304, University Proceedings, and Federal Investigation — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Send Ann Arbor Officials Documentary Chronology on AAPD and Related Federal Investigations — No Response Received
- Timothy Lynch Documentary Chronology: 63 Exhibits on University of Michigan Office of General Counsel, University Investigations, and Law Enforcement — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Documentary Chronology: 8 Exhibits Document More Than Two Years of Efforts to Trace Bank of Ann Arbor's $1.4 Million Sheriff's Sale Credit Bid — No Response Received
Brad Foerster, MD PhD
Brad Foerster is a FOIA advocate documenting requests, transparency disputes, and accountability investigations involving public agencies, universities, police oversight, and Russia-Gate related inquiries. His work compiles original documents, timelines, and analysis of public records and institutional responses. Brad is also a board-certified radiologist, author of Town & Gown, and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Brad lives in Potomac, Maryland with his family and is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.