Core Cases & Investigations – Transparency and Accountability

FBI Interview (Detroit Field Office): Context and Record

Following a reported death threat against Dr. Myria Petrou and Duaa Altaee, and the absence of any meaningful inquiry by the University of Michigan, Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Petrou presented to the FBI at the Detroit field office to report the threat.

They met with an FBI Special Agent and reported both the death threat and the lack of follow-up by University authorities.

The discussion focused in part on identifying the origin of the statement directed toward Dr. Petrou and Ms. Altaee—“If you do not back down.”

Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster explained that only a limited number of ongoing matters could plausibly involve both Dr. Petrou and Duaa Altaee:

The sexual harassment complaint filed by Duaa Altaee at the University of Michigan, for which Dr. Petrou served as a support person.
Recorded statements between Maria Petrou and Duaa Altaee, acknowledging false allegations made to the Ann Arbor Police Department against Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster, including statements regarding harm to their employment and housing.
The appearance of “Nick,” an unidentified individual claiming to be a confidant of Dr. Paul Cronin, who made false criminal allegations against Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster, including allegations concerning Ms. Altaee’s husband.

These allegations were relied upon by the Ann Arbor Police Department to maintain a freeze on Dr. Foerster's and Dr. Petrou's bank accounts, resulting in foreclosure proceedings and the threat of eviction involving Dr. Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and their two minor children.

In this context, Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster described concerns regarding the NIH-funded ALS grant, including a lack of work by a co-principal investigator against whom Ms. Altaee had filed a sexual harassment complaint.

They also described the consequences of Nick’s allegations, including the evaluation of Ms. Altaee’s husband, Tarick Seifeddine, at the University of Michigan psychiatric emergency department, where he was found to be psychiatrically stable.

Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster further reported statements made by Dr. Paul Cronin prior to the 2016 presidential election regarding Russia-related matters. They noted that while these statements appeared outlandish, certain elements appeared consistent with information that later became public in early 2017.

They also reported statements attributed to Dr. Cronin concerning Dr. Petrou’s pregnancy loss.

The FBI Record

The FBI complaint form does not reflect the stated purpose of the visit—reporting the death threat—or how the additional information was provided as context for that report.

Accordingly, this document reflects portions of what was discussed during the interview—not the reason Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster went to the FBI.

Contextual Timeline: Paul Cronin, Maria Petrou, “Nick,” and Ann Arbor Police

January–February 2017 — Allegations to Ann Arbor Police Department
Maria Petrou makes allegations to the Ann Arbor Police Department against Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster.

March 2017 — Recorded Statements
Recorded conversations between Maria Petrou and Duaa Altaee include Maria Petrou’s acknowledgments of false allegations made to the Ann Arbor Police Department, as well as Maria Petrou’s statements concerning potential harm to Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster, including their employment and housing.

April 2017 — Withdrawal of Allegations
Maria Petrou withdraws allegations to the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Shortly thereafter — Appearance of “Nick”
An unidentified individual (“Nick”) appears, claiming to be a confidante of Dr. Paul Cronin and providing allegations to law enforcement involving Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster.

June 2017 — Statements by Dr. Paul Cronin
Dr. Paul Cronin, under oath, denies knowledge of “Nick” and denies allegations of extortion involving Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster.

Approximately one week later — Reinstatement of Allegations
Maria Petrou reinstates allegations to the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Late 2017–Early 2018 — Law Enforcement Reliance
These allegations are relied upon by the Ann Arbor Police Department to maintain a freeze on accounts belonging to Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster.

Late 2017–Early 2018 — Financial Consequences
The continued reliance on these allegations results in foreclosure proceedings and eviction involving Dr. Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and their two minor children.

FBI Reporting Sequence (January–February 2018)

January 21–25, 2018 — Reported Death Threat and Institutional Response
Dr. Myria Petrou reports a death threat involving herself and Duaa Altaee to the University of Michigan and law enforcement authorities.
Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster informed Dr. Paul Cronin and Dr. Aine Kelly of the reported death threats.

January 26, 2018 — FBI Complaint by Maria Petrou (Special Agent Sue Lucas)
Maria Petrou presents to the FBI and provides a complaint following the events described above.

January 30, 2018 — FBI Interview of Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster (Detroit Field Office)
Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster present to the FBI to report the death threat after no substantive follow-up.
Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster informed Dr. Cronin and Dr. Kelly the same day that the matter had been reported to the FBI.

February 1, 2018 — Additional FBI Contact by Maria Petrou (Special Agent Sue Lucas)
Maria Petrou returns to the FBI and provides additional information.

February 2, 2018 — FBI Report (Maria Petrou Complaint)

February 16, 2018 — FBI Report (Dr. Myria Petrou and Dr. Bradley Foerster Complaint)

Additional Context

Although Maria Petrou, Dr. Paul Cronin, and Dr. Aine Kelly denied communicating with one another during this period, during a March 2018 telephone call between Dr. Petrou/Dr. Foerster and Dr. Cronin/Dr. Kelly, Maria Petrou was audible in the background.