University of Michigan Identifies and Withholds FBI-Generated Record Referencing Dr. Myria Petrou and Dr. Bradley Foerster
In April 2026, the University of Michigan identified one FBI-generated record referencing Dr. Myria Petrou and Dr. Bradley Foerster as responsive to a narrowly tailored FOIA request concerning federal investigative materials held by the University.
The request specifically sought only FBI-generated material and expressly excluded:
- communications sent from the University to the FBI
- internal University-created communications, summaries, analyses, or advisory materials
The University nevertheless withheld the FBI-generated record in full under Section 13(1)(m), characterizing it as “communications and notes of an advisory nature.”
A subsequent appeal was denied by the Office of the President without further description of the record.
Exhibit 1 — FOIA Response (April 21, 2026)
The University states that it identified one responsive record but withheld it in full pursuant to Section 13(1)(m), asserting that the record constitutes “communications and notes of an advisory nature,” and declining to provide any further description.
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Exhibit 2 — FOIA Appeal (April 21, 2026)
The appeal notes that the request was limited to FBI-generated records, and that such records do not fall within the University’s advisory communications exemption. It further requests production of the record or any reasonably segregable portions.
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Exhibit 3 — FOIA Appeal Denial (May 5, 2026)
On May 5, 2026, the Office of the President denied the appeal in full. The denial, signed by Chief of Staff Steve Yaros, relied entirely on the rationale provided in the initial FOIA response and did not further describe the FBI-generated record.
Related Record
One FBI-generated record identified.
One appeal denied by the Office of the President.
No description of the record has been provided.
The record remains withheld in full.
Core Archive Documents
Case Model
Case Index
Federal Record Summary
Town & Gown: A Chronology (2014–2026)
From "This Will Ruin All Our Lives" to "I Will"
Selected Reporting
- From Mentor to Federal Investigation: The Dr. Eva Feldman Documentary Chronology
- July 26 Documentary Notice and Documentary Chronology Transmitted to City Attorney Kaur, Mayor Taylor, City Administrator Dohoney, and Police Chief Anderson Concerning Ann Arbor Police Department Investigations, Related City Proceedings, and Federal Investigations Involving Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou (2015–2026).
- July 7 Documentary Notice to University of Michigan Vice President and General Counsel Timothy G. Lynch Concerning University and Law Enforcement Investigations Involving Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou (2015–2026). July 8 UM Announces Lynch Leaving.
- 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
- The Institutional Fingerprint of the FBI Russia-Gate File: Referrals, Consults, Intelligence Reports, and the June 16, 2026 FBI Production
- Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou Document More Than Two Years of Unsuccessful Efforts to Trace Bank of Ann Arbor's $1.4 Million Sheriff's Sale Credit Bid (June 2026)
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 active in the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.