Foerster v. Cronin (2018): Dr. Bradley Foerster’s Federal Complaint and Dr. Paul Cronin’s Filed Responses Concerning “Nick,” Medical Billing, Russia-Gate, and 620/630 Geddes Ridge
Record Context
On September 4, 2018, Dr. Bradley Foerster filed a federal complaint against Dr. Paul Cronin concerning events that had unfolded over the preceding two years.
The complaint included allegations concerning several subjects that had already become part of a broader documentary and investigative record, including “Nick,” an unidentified individual who claimed an association with Dr. Cronin; statements concerning alleged University of Michigan medical-billing practices; and Russia-related statements attributed to Dr. Cronin before the 2016 presidential election.
By the time Dr. Foerster filed the complaint, some of these matters had already reached the FBI. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou reported Russia-related statements attributed to Dr. Cronin during their January 30, 2018 FBI Detroit interview and again during their March 2, 2018 FBI Ann Arbor interview.
On March 7, 2018, six months before the federal complaint was filed, Dr. Cronin himself was interviewed by federal personnel at the University of Michigan. A same-day contemporaneous note records Dr. Cronin stating that agents did not ask him about the Russia-Gate-related statements attributed to him or about medical-billing-related allegations.
The September litigation subsequently placed allegations concerning these subjects directly before Dr. Cronin in federal court.
The excerpts below present Dr. Cronin’s own filed responses. They are not uniform: some allegations were admitted, some denied, and others were answered by stating that he lacked sufficient knowledge or information to admit or deny them.
“Nick”
The complaint contained multiple allegations involving the unidentified individual referred to as “Nick” or “Nick B.” Dr. Cronin’s responses differed depending on the allegation.
One allegation concerned an episode in which Dr. Cronin came to the emergency room and explained to personnel about “Nick B” and his prior false allegations.
“Agree this statement is true.”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶85)
A separate allegation concerned telephone calls from an unidentified “Nick B,” including an allegation that Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou were extorting Dr. Cronin.
“Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief…”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶66)
The two responses are materially different: Dr. Cronin expressly agreed with one pleaded allegation involving “Nick B,” while stating that he lacked sufficient knowledge or information as to another.
Certain identifying information in the underlying filing has been redacted pursuant to a court-ordered confidentiality agreement.
University of Michigan Medical Billing
The complaint separately alleged that Dr. Cronin had described a fraudulent billing scheme involving the University of Michigan Department of Radiology.
Dr. Cronin denied that allegation.
“Denied that defendant… described a fraudulent billing scheme…”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶28)
That formal denial can be read alongside the March 7 contemporaneous record in which Dr. Cronin stated that federal agents did not ask him about medical-billing-related allegations during his federal interview.
Russia-Gate
The federal complaint also placed directly before Dr. Cronin allegations concerning Russia-related statements attributed to him. Those allegations are also documented in Dr. Bradley Foerster’s sworn affidavit filed in Foerster v. Cronin.
Dr. Cronin denied those allegations.
“Denied for the reason that the allegation is false.”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶¶6–8)
“This statement is factually incorrect.”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶44)
“This statement is factually incorrect.”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶58)
“This statement is factually incorrect.”
— Dr. Paul Cronin, Answer to Complaint (¶76)
The disputed allegations included statements concerning Maria Petrou and Russia, alleged references to James Comey and the FBI, and alleged discussions concerning Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Dr. Cronin denied those allegations in his filed responses.
These filed responses provide a different documentary record from the March 7 federal interview. The March 7 contemporaneous note records what Dr. Cronin said federal investigators did not ask him; the federal court filings preserve how Dr. Cronin later formally responded to the allegations themselves.
Related 2021 Litigation
The archive also contains Dr. Cronin’s responses in related 2021 litigation filed by Dr. Myria Petrou.
Read together, Dr. Cronin’s responses across the 2018 and 2021 proceedings preserve his formal positions concerning “Nick,” medical billing, and Russia-related statements. Those responses include admissions, denials, and statements that he lacked sufficient knowledge or information concerning particular allegations.
Additional Causes of Action — 620 and 630 Geddes Ridge
The federal complaint also included claims arising from the disposition of 620 and 630 Geddes Ridge.
The Third Cause of Action — Fraudulent Misrepresentation alleged that Dr. Foerster relied on representations and assurances attributed to Dr. Cronin concerning the properties and that, as a result, Dr. Foerster was ultimately evicted from 630 Geddes Ridge and lost 620 Geddes Ridge.
The Fourth Cause of Action — Unjust Enrichment alleged that Dr. Cronin and/or his agents or affiliates obtained 630 and 620 Geddes Ridge at below-market values through the conduct alleged in the complaint.
Complaint excerpt — Third and Fourth Causes of Action
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The copy of Dr. Cronin’s response presented in the archive includes the notation:
“PAGE 27 IS MISSING.”
Procedural Disposition
The litigation did not proceed to a judicial determination of the disputed factual allegations.
The claims against Dr. Cronin were dismissed on October 3, 2018. Dr. Foerster dismissed the federal complaint before receiving Dr. Cronin’s response, as an act of good faith after Dr. Cronin agreed to come forward as a witness.
No subsequent witness statement attributed to Dr. Cronin is identified in the record presented here.
Dr. Cronin did not file a counterclaim against Dr. Foerster.
The litigation therefore ended without adjudicating the underlying factual disputes. What remains in the federal court record are Dr. Cronin’s formal responses to the allegations asserted against him—including an express agreement with one allegation involving “Nick,” a lack-of-knowledge response to another, and denials concerning the alleged medical-billing and Russia-related statements.
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.