Dr. Paul Cronin — FBI Interview (March 7, 2018): Identified as Source but Not Examined on Allegations
On March 7, 2018, a contemporaneous note was created by Dr. Bradley Foerster documenting a conversation with Dr. Paul Cronin regarding an FBI and HHS-OIG interview conducted that same day at the University of Michigan Department of Radiology.
In summer 2016, Dr. Cronin communicated Russia-Gate-related statements to Dr. Foerster and Duaa Altaee, before Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou reported those statements to the FBI.
The note reflects that Dr. Cronin reported being approached by federal agents at his workplace and escorted to the interview by his direct supervisor, Dr. Ella Kazerooni, Vice-Chair of Clinical Affairs.
According to the note, and documented contemporaneously on the same date as his FBI interview, Dr. Cronin stated that the agents did not question him regarding either Russia-Gate-related allegations or medical billing-related allegations. Instead, the questioning was focused on his relationships with Duaa Altaee, Dr. Bradley Foerster, and Dr. Myria Petrou.
Dr. Cronin stated that he felt pressured to admit to conduct that was not true and was asked about time spent outside of work with Duaa Altaee, Dr. Foerster, and Dr. Petrou.
Record Context
Apple Notes timestamp: March 7, 2018 at 3:09 PM.
Established Timeline
- Summer 2016: Dr. Cronin communicated Russia-Gate-related statements to Dr. Foerster and Duaa Altaee.
- January 30, 2018: FBI interview of Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou in Detroit.
- March 2, 2018: FBI interview of Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou in Ann Arbor.
- March 7, 2018: FBI / HHS-OIG interview of Dr. Cronin at the University of Michigan.
- March 7, 2018: Dr. Cronin stated that agents did not ask him about Russia-Gate-related allegations or medical billing-related allegations.
Consistency Across Records
The March 7, 2018 note reflects a broader pattern across institutional and law enforcement records in which Dr. Paul Cronin — identified by Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou as a source of Russia-Gate-related statements and other allegations — was not directly questioned on those allegations in documented proceedings.
This includes:
Law Enforcement Activity
- According to the March 7, 2018 contemporaneous note, Dr. Cronin stated that federal agents did not question him regarding Russia-Gate-related statements or medical billing-related allegations during his FBI / HHS-OIG interview at the University of Michigan.
- No released Ann Arbor Police Department record presently identified documents a direct interview of Dr. Cronin regarding allegations attributed to “Nick,” including allegations involving extortion directed at Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou.
University of Michigan Investigative and Administrative Processes
- No released Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) record presently identified documents compelled participation by Dr. Cronin in the University investigation concerning “Nick.”
- No released Office of the General Counsel (OGC) record presently identified documents an interview of Dr. Cronin concerning the identity of “Nick.”
- Dr. Cronin was not required to provide sworn testimony during Dr. Foerster’s University of Michigan Bylaw 5.09 proceedings.
Formal Proceedings and Testimony
- The only identified sworn testimony by Dr. Cronin presently located in the record is a June 2017 deposition in which he stated that he did not know “Nick” and denied extortion allegations involving Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou.
- Following that deposition, Maria Petrou continued to communicate allegations involving financial misconduct and embezzlement concerning Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou.
Dr. Cronin has not publicly addressed or clarified the record despite repeated requests from Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, including regarding Russia-Gate-related statements and related investigative matters.
The March 7, 2018 note remains part of the broader federal record chronology presently being reconstructed through ongoing DOJ FOIA litigation and related agency productions.
Additional Record
March 7, 2018 communication reflecting Dr. Cronin was escorted to a conference room prior to the interview.
Related Records (Russia-Gate / Foreign Agent Allegations)
Related Reporting
- The Institutional Fingerprint of the FBI Russia-Gate File
- May 12, 2026 Joint Status Report Filed After FBI Missed May 4 Production Deadline in “Russia-Gate” FOIA Litigation; New Production Dates Set for May 15 and June 16, 2026
- University of Michigan States No Responsive Documents Exist Regarding Dr. Foerster’s 2018 Psychiatric Peer Review Following Litigated FOIA Appeal
- Bank of Ann Arbor Reported $1,412,380 Sheriff's Sale Purchase; Follow-Up RESPA Request Seeks Reconciliation Record
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.