University of Michigan withholding of 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.
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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.