HHS-OIG Located Records Relating to “Tyson Howard” — Then Withheld Them in Full (2021–2022)
This record documents subsequent efforts to verify the identity of “Tyson Howard”, the individual who participated in the March 2, 2018 FBI Ann Arbor interview identifying himself as an HHS-OIG Special Agent.
In late 2021, Dr. Myria Petrou and Dr. Bradley Foerster called the cellular telephone number listed on the business card provided during the March 2, 2018 interview. The individual who answered identified himself as “Howard” but stated that he did not know Dr. Petrou or Dr. Foerster.
Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou subsequently submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act requests directly to HHS-OIG seeking identifying records associated with “Tyson Howard,” including his email address, federal badge identification, and business card.
Business card provided during the March 2, 2018 FBI interview by the individual identifying himself as Tyson F. Howard, Special Agent, HHS-OIG.
In response to a December 2021 FOIA request seeking the business card, HHS-OIG located one responsive page but withheld the record in full under FOIA exemptions (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C).
Separate requests seeking the individual’s email address and federal badge identification were also denied. On administrative appeal, the Department of Health and Human Services upheld the withholding in full.
The appeal decision further characterized the withheld information as concerning an individual “who is not a target of the investigation, however mentioned in law enforcement files.”
The result was narrow but consequential: HHS-OIG located responsive records concerning the Howard requests, while withholding the requested identifying records in full. On appeal, HHS upheld the withholding of two pages consisting of a federal agent badge ID and email address, while describing the information as concerning an individual “who is not a target of the investigation, however mentioned in law enforcement files.” The records released at that time did not resolve who the individual was or his official role in the March 2, 2018 FBI interview.
Documentary foundation:
The HHS-OIG “Tyson Howard” Question: Sworn Affidavits, the FBI Interview, and the University of Michigan 5.09 Proceedings
The sworn affidavits establish the underlying March 2, 2018 FBI Ann Arbor encounter and document the subsequent inability to verify the identity of the individual identifying himself as HHS-OIG Special Agent “Tyson Howard.” The FOIA records below document the later effort to obtain identifying information directly from HHS-OIG.
Later follow-up:
December 6, 2024 Follow-Up Letter to FBI Agent Sue Lucas (No Response to 2020 Communication)
After HHS-OIG located responsive records concerning the Howard requests but withheld them in full, Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou later returned to FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and re-raised the unresolved Howard question.
HHS-OIG FOIA Response — December 20, 2021
HHS-OIG response locating one responsive page associated with the request for the “Tyson Howard” business card and withholding that record in full.
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%202.png "HHS-OIG FOIA response December 20 2021 page 2")
HHS FOIA Appeal Decision — May 5, 2022
Final administrative decision upholding the withholding in full of two pages consisting of a federal agent badge ID and email address, while describing the information as concerning an individual “who is not a target of the investigation, however mentioned in law enforcement files.”
%203.png "HHS FOIA appeal decision May 5 2022 page 1")
%204.png "HHS FOIA appeal decision May 5 2022 page 2")
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.