Federal Record Summary: FBI Russia-Gate File, AAPD “Nick” Investigation, and University of Michigan Record Chronology

A 500+ page FBI file associated with Dr. Bradley Foerster, including audio recordings, has been identified in federal FOIA litigation.

The available record reflects a sequence of investigative activity, institutional communications, and federal records involving Ann Arbor Police Department materials, University of Michigan administrative processes, HHS-OIG investigative activity, and later FBI-related FOIA litigation concerning related “Russia-Gate” allegations.

Foerster v. U.S. Department of Justice

Federal FOIA Record Summary and Multi-Agency Investigation Context
Bradley Foerster, MD, PhD
United States District Court
Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-03277-CJN

Overview

This matter involves Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou, who are married, Dr. Paul Cronin and Dr. Aine Kelly, who are married, and Ms. Duaa Altaee, all affiliated with the University of Michigan at the relevant time.

In summer 2016, Dr. Cronin informed Dr. Foerster and Ms. Altaee of Russia-related matters concerning the 2016 U.S. presidential election, later reflected in the Steele dossier.

In 2017, the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) initiated a criminal investigation involving Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, including account freezes and search warrant activity. AAPD materials include communications involving an individual using the identifier “Nick,” including allegations involving Dr. Foerster, Dr. Petrou, and Dr. Cronin.

AAPD materials further reference audio associated with “Nick,” corresponding in approximate duration to audio identified in a federal investigative record with associated audio recordings, as confirmed in Foerster v. U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-03277-CJN.

Additional records concerning the “Nick” sequence, including investigative materials, deposition testimony, University of Michigan records, HHS-OIG references, and FBI-related FOIA litigation, are organized below under the Investigative / Allegation Layer.

Public reporting in 2017–2018, including articles published by the Ann Arbor Observer, addressed aspects of these events. This archive reflects the underlying record — federal investigative materials, contemporaneous documents, search warrant records, and FOIA productions — rather than secondary accounts.

This archive reflects overlapping portions of a broader federal and institutional chronology involving Ann Arbor Police Department investigative materials, University of Michigan administrative and legal records, HHS-OIG and NIH-related investigative activity, and later FBI-related FOIA litigation and associated federal records.

The sections below organize those records chronologically and institutionally, tracing the progression of investigative, administrative, and federal records across multiple agencies and proceedings.

Federal Investigation Context

The federal record includes approximately 522 pages of potentially responsive FBI records and associated audio media, as confirmed in Foerster v. U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-03277-CJN.

FBI FOIA correspondence relating to Dr. Foerster’s request identifies responsive records reflecting investigative activity from 2018 through 2021.

The subject matter of that file has been described by the FBI as relating to Russia-related matters concerning the 2016 U.S. presidential election, often referred to in public reporting as “Russia-Gate.”

These communications predated the public release of the Steele dossier and occurred during the broader period in which the FBI opened the Crossfire Hurricane investigation in 2016.

The timing and subject matter of these materials place later investigative, institutional, and federal records within a single sequence.

Cronin Position Evolution

In late 2017, Dr. Cronin denied knowledge of “Nick” and the related allegations.

In 2018, the University of Michigan Office for Institutional Equity (“Title IX Office”) requested an interview with Dr. Cronin on multiple occasions in connection with Dr. Petrou’s complaint concerning “Nick”; no interview occurred.

In later litigation responses, Dr. Cronin stated that he did not refuse to participate in the Office for Institutional Equity interviews. He also stated that he did not respond to Dr. Petrou’s inquiry as to whether “Nick” was a voice match to Dr. Nick Reeser, then a fellow of Dr. Cronin and Dr. Kelly, because he was not certain.

HHS-OIG / NIH Grant Context

Dr. Cronin informed Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou of concerns regarding radiology billing practices within the University of Michigan and asked for their support in reporting those concerns to the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel (OGC). Dr. Cronin and Dr. Kelly later attributed the source of those billing concerns to Dr. Foerster in University proceedings.

On July 15, 2017, Dr. Petrou separately submitted an HHS-OIG complaint concerning NIH Grant R01NS082304. Five days later, a complaint concerning radiology billing practices was submitted to the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under Dr. Petrou’s name. Based on the timestamp of the submission, Dr. Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and Dr. Cronin did not submit the complaint.

Although the submitted complaint concerned radiology billing issues, the subsequently documented HHS-OIG investigation focused on NIH Grant R01 NS082304, for which Dr. Foerster was co-principal investigator and Ms. Altaee was research coordinator. The released HHS-OIG investigative record incorporated materials originating in the AAPD investigation, including communications referencing “Nick” and related investigative materials.

The presently available record does not reflect a substantive HHS-OIG investigation of the underlying medical billing allegations described in the original complaint.

In March 2018, Dr. Foerster, Dr. Petrou, and Dr. Cronin met in Ann Arbor with FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and an individual identifying as an HHS-OIG agent (“Tyson Howard”). Lucas and “Tyson Howard” also interviewed Ms. Altaee in Washington, D.C. The identity of “Tyson Howard” has not been confirmed through subsequent FOIA requests.

Parallel Financial and Property Context

Financial and property records from 2017 involving Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, including sheriff’s sale and banking records, overlap chronologically with the investigative period reflected in AAPD and related federal materials.

During this same period, AAPD materials involving the “Nick” allegations supported continuation of the freeze on Dr. Foerster’s and Dr. Petrou’s Bank of Ann Arbor accounts preceding eviction proceedings following the 2017 sheriff’s sale.

The available record does not fully account for the disposition of funds associated with the 2017 sheriff’s sale through which the Bank of Ann Arbor acquired the property.

University of Michigan — Legal Context

University of Michigan Office of General Counsel memoranda and communications reference Russia-related matters involving Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, as well as communications between University officials and federal authorities.

Certain materials, including communications involving University counsel, have been withheld under FOIA exemptions, including attorney-client privilege.

In parallel, records relating to search warrants and underlying affidavits associated with the AAPD investigation were not produced at the time of request and were later obtained through alternate channels.

Current Status

The matter remains pending in the United States District Court in Foerster v. U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-03277-CJN.

The Department of Justice has confirmed the existence of responsive FBI records and associated audio recordings concerning Dr. Foerster’s request. A previously anticipated FBI production date passed without production, and revised production dates were subsequently memorialized in a Joint Status Report filed May 12, 2026, reflecting an anticipated initial FBI production on or about May 15, 2026.

The FBI has additionally identified responsive audio media associated with the underlying investigative chronology reflected in Ann Arbor Police Department materials involving “Nick.”

Related federal litigation and records disputes remain ongoing.

Investigative / Allegation Layer

Ann Arbor Police Department, “Nick,” and Related Investigative Records

Ann Arbor Police Department investigative materials from 2017 include records concerning communications attributed to an unidentified individual using the name “Nick”, including:

search warrant activity,
Gmail/IP references,
“Nick” audio recordings,
“Nick” criminal allegations involving Dr. Bradley Foerster, Dr. Myria Petrou, and Dr. Paul Cronin.

The recordings underlying the initial “Nick” sequence are not reproduced within this archive due to court-ordered confidentiality restrictions.

Records later released through University of Michigan FOIA proceedings also reflect that “Nick” audio recordings were forwarded within University administrative channels.

The same investigative sequence later intersects with FBI records concerning related “Russia-Gate” allegations, including FBI records identifying approximately five minutes of audio media, which appears to approximate the duration of the recordings referenced in Ann Arbor Police Department-related materials.

Sworn deposition testimony later further documented related extortion allegations and associated “Nick” identification issues through testimony concerning the recordings, allegations attributed to “Nick,” and related investigative communications.

Released records reviewed by this archive do not presently identify the individual using the name “Nick.”

Related records and references later appeared within:

University of Michigan Office of General Counsel records,
University of Michigan Office for Institutional Equity (“Title IX Office”) records,
HHS-OIG materials,
and federal FOIA litigation concerning FBI records and associated audio.

Ann Arbor Police Department Investigation

Related records concerning Ann Arbor Police Department Case 17-3517 include search warrant materials, investigative chronology, and later records concerning “Nick Bee” and associated Google data.

“Nick” Communications and Audio References

Related records concerning “Nick” include audio recordings, deposition testimony, investigative communications, Gmail/IP references, and University of Michigan records associated with the “Nick” sequence.

OIE / Title IX Institutionalization

Myria Petrou / “Nick Bee” Records

October 1, 2018 OIE memorandum documenting OGC review of recordings, interview efforts directed at Dr. Paul Cronin, acknowledgment that Dr. Reed Dunnick had seen the August 2017 “Nick Bee” email, while the identity of “Nick Bee” remained unresolved

Duaa Altaee OIE / HR Records

University of Michigan Peer Review & Due Process (2018 – Dr. Bradley Foerster)

These determinations raise questions under the Health Care Quality Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. § 11112), which establishes standards for professional review actions, including requirements for adequate notice and the ability of a physician to review and respond to actions affecting professional standing.

REAL-WORLD IMPACT — Myria Petrou

Professional and employment-related outcomes arising from the underlying record and associated institutional actions.

Timeline: Academic training and professional appointments → institutional allegations and related proceedings (2017–2018) → resignation (2018) → subsequent clinical and academic work.

“...you told me… that you knew nothing about ‘Nick B’”

“...the offer was retracted after the group said they talked to the University of Michigan...”

Medical Director Statement on Dr. Myria Petrou (2024)

REAL-WORLD IMPACT — Dr. Bradley Foerster

Professional and employment-related consequences following institutional proceedings at the University of Michigan, including attempted dismissal and related actions affecting clinical and academic roles.

Timeline: peer review (2018) → attempted dismissal proceedings (2018) → resignation (2019) → subsequent documentation of the record.

Institutional Legal / Administrative Records

Federal Records / Russia-Gate Escalation

Related materials concerning the broader “Russia-Gate” sequence later intersected with FBI records, Department of Justice FOIA litigation, HHS-OIG investigative materials, congressional correspondence, and related federal investigative, litigation, and administrative channels.

The resulting federal chronology includes ongoing FBI FOIA litigation, DOJ production disputes, federal investigative references, and materials concerning communications and allegations previously appearing within Ann Arbor Police Department and University of Michigan investigative files.

Federal Investigative and FBI Record Chronology

Sworn Affidavits, Litigation Materials, and Russia-Gate-Related Records

Related litigation materials and affidavits reflect contemporaneous and later statements concerning “Nick,” medical billing allegations, and Russia-Gate-related statements appearing across multiple proceedings.

Current Status

In summary, federal records and ongoing FOIA litigation relating to allegations concerning Russian election interference and “Russia-Gate” reflect an ongoing and incomplete chronology. The FBI has acknowledged approximately 522 potentially responsive pages together with responsive audio records concerning Dr. Bradley Foerster. Additional production remains ongoing in Foerster v. U.S. Department of Justice, No. 1:25-cv-03277-CJN.

On May 19, 2026, preliminary review of the FBI’s initial interim production reflected the release of complaint forms, FBI Electronic Communications (ECs), FD-302 interview summaries, and references to assessments, restitution, grant reductions, and responsive audio media. However, foundational opening and scope-defining records that would ordinarily explain why the investigation was opened or how the matter was internally framed do not yet clearly appear within the released materials.

At the same time, the released FBI file contains documentation concerning July 2017 Boston FBI reporting, 2018 FBI/HHS-OIG interview activity, Washington, D.C.-area coordination, and January and May 2018 correspondence submitted by Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou to Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concerning alleged Russian election interference and related “Russia-Gate” matters, including FBI import records and later litigation-related references to those materials. See: FBI First Interim Production: Executive Summary and Contemporaneous FBI Administrative Records.

Related FOIA requests have also sought limited FBI intake and assessment records associated with the formative July 2016 through January 2017 period, including: Following FBI Refusal to Process Dr. Bradley Foerster’s Investigation Timeline Request, New FOIA Seeks Early “Russia-Gate” FBI Intake Records (July 2016 – January 2017) .

Federal records released through the FBI, Department of Justice, HHS-OIG, Ann Arbor Police Department, and the University of Michigan reflect incomplete but interconnected portions of the underlying chronology.

The federal record remains under reconstruction.

Related Reporting

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.