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 (Detroit)
- March 2, 2018: FBI interview of Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou (Ann Arbor)
- March 7, 2018: FBI/OIG interview of Dr. Cronin (University of Michigan)
- March 7, 2018 (same day): Dr. Cronin stated that agents did not ask about Russia-Gate or medical billing-related allegations (this note)
Consistency Across Records
The March 7, 2018 note reflects a pattern in which:
- The source of the underlying allegations (Dr. Paul Cronin) was not questioned on those allegations during his FBI interview, despite Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou identifying Dr. Cronin as the source of those allegations in prior FBI interviews (January 30 and March 2, 2018).
- Multiple institutional and law enforcement investigations involving Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou proceeded without documented direct examination of Dr. Paul Cronin on issues where he was the key witness.
This includes:
Law enforcement activity
- No documented interview of Dr. Cronin by the Ann Arbor Police Department regarding the underlying allegations attributed to “Nick,” who was described as a confidant of Dr. Cronin at the University of Michigan and made false allegations of extortion involving Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, with those allegations relied upon to maintain the criminal investigation.
- No documented questioning of Dr. Cronin by federal agents, as reflected in the March 7, 2018 note, on either Russia-Gate-related statements or medical billing-related allegations
University of Michigan investigative and administrative processes
- No compelled participation by Dr. Cronin in the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) investigation concerning “Nick.”
- No documented interview of Dr. Cronin by the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in connection with its investigation into the identity of “Nick.”
- Dr. Cronin was not required to provide testimony in Dr. Foerster’s 5.09 proceedings, which would have been under oath.
Formal proceedings and testimony
- Dr. Cronin’s only identified sworn testimony occurred in a June 2017 legal deposition, where he stated that he did not know “Nick” and denied any extortion by Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou.
- Following that deposition, Dr. Petrou’s mother, Maria Petrou, reasserted her false allegations of embezzlement against Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou.
Professional Standard
“First, do no harm.”
— Hippocratic Oath
This reflects a consistent absence of direct examination of Dr. Paul Cronin, the identified source of the allegations.
Dr. Cronin has not come forward as a witness to address or clarify the record, despite repeated requests from Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou, including with respect to Russia-Gate, and despite being informed of the damages they have faced as a result.
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
- DOJ Confirms 500+ Page FBI File on Bradley Foerster in Russia-Gate FOIA Case; Records Set for Release May 4, 2026
- President Grasso Denies Foerster FOIA Appeal – UMPD Police Report Referenced in AAPD Communication (Dr. Eva Feldman)
- Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Committee Review of $1.4M Missing Funds From Sheriff’s Sale
- Dr. Bradley Foerster Files Litigated FOIA Appeal Following President Grasso Denial – Medical Peer Review Decision (Psychiatry)
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.