Town and Gown: A Chronology (2014–2026)

Beginning with NIH Grant R01 NS082304 (an NIH-funded neuroimaging study aimed at developing an imaging biomarker for ALS) — the “ground zero” of the chronology that followed — the timeline below traces the intersection of University of Michigan institutional activity, Ann Arbor Police Department investigations, federal reporting, FBI and HHS-OIG involvement, peer review proceedings, foreclosure and litigation activity, and years of subsequent FOIA disclosures and disputes.

The chronology involves records and proceedings spanning the University of Michigan Office of Institutional Equity (OIE/Title IX), University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD), Office of General Counsel (OGC), Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), NIH, and federal court litigation.

What followed produced records spanning AAPD, UMPD, FBI, HHS-OIG, NIH, University of Michigan OGC, OIE, and federal court proceedings.

2015–2016
  • April 2015: Bradley Foerster and Duaa Altaee, a research coordinator associated with NIH Grant R01 NS082304, file OIE-related complaints involving Robert Welsh and related University conduct.
  • Myria Petrou serves as a support person for Altaee during the OIE process.
  • The resulting University investigation extends for approximately one year.
  • During the process, Foerster and Altaee submit supporting materials and documentation to the University.
  • University records later state that the matter was closed based on a determination that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.
  • Foerster and Altaee later dispute the outcome and assert that relevant evidence and supporting materials submitted during the investigation were excluded or disregarded by the University.
June 2016
  • After the Department of Radiology declines to approve a raise for Duaa Altaee, Dr. Eva Feldman, a funded co-investigator on NIH Grant R01 NS082304, transfers Altaee to the Department of Neurology where Feldman becomes Altaee’s direct supervisor.
  • In a contemporaneous email, Feldman states that Altaee is "too valuable to let go" to Human Resources and approves a salary increase.
July–September 2016
  • Paul Cronin discloses details to Bradley Foerster and Duaa Altaee concerning what Cronin described as a Russian scheme to subvert the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Donald Trump’s favor.
September 1, 2016
  • Foerster obtains tenure at the University of Michigan and becomes the first clinical faculty member in the Department of Radiology to do so in approximately ten years.
Early 2017
  • Beginning in early 2017, Maria Petrou (Myria's mother) files a complaint with the AAPD involving allegations of embezzlement and related misconduct by Foerster and Myria Petrou.
  • In March 2017, Foerster and Myria Petrou provide Detective Bradley Rougeau with a broad durable power of attorney (DPOA) document relating to the relevant bank accounts.
  • Additional search warrants targeting the bank accounts are subsequently executed following production of the DPOA documentation.
  • Altaee records Maria Petrou in a manner later viewed as undermining or rebuking portions of Maria Petrou’s allegations arising from the AAPD reporting sequence.
April 2017
  • “Nick” places phone calls through the University of Michigan Hospital switchboard alleging that Foerster and Myria Petrou were extorting police.
  • Recordings associated with the calls are subsequently forwarded to AAPD.
  • The “Nick” recordings are later identified within subsequent search warrant materials associated with freezing the Foerster/Petrou bank accounts.
May 2017
  • Bank of Ann Arbor initiates foreclosure proceedings involving three Foerster family properties, including the newly constructed Geddes Ridge residence at 630 Geddes Ridge.
June 2017
  • June 20, 2017: Cronin deposition includes questioning concerning “Nick,” including references to multiple individuals named “Nick” and inability to identify the voice presented during deposition proceedings.
  • Following the Cronin deposition, Maria Petrou subsequently renews allegations of embezzlement and related misconduct through AAPD channels.
July 2017
  • July 2017: Myria Petrou, a non-funded co-investigator associated with NIH Grant R01 NS082304, files a complaint with HHS-OIG concerning NIH contractual and grant-related obligations involving Welsh.
August 2017
  • August 3, 2017: Bank of Ann Arbor purchases three Foerster family properties through a sheriff’s sale credit bid of approximately $1.4 million.
  • AAPD investigation activity expands.
  • August 17, 2017: Seventh AAPD search warrant seeks Google records associated with “Nickbee” and Cronin.
  • FBI contacts AAPD regarding possible University records relating to alleged NIH or VA grant fraud.
  • AAPD subsequently provides the FBI with its “voluminous file” relating to the investigation of Foerster and Myria Petrou.
  • University of Michigan Office of General Counsel intake activity involving “Nick” begins.
  • Communications involving “Nick” later appear across AAPD, University, and federal records.
December 2017
  • Dr. Eva Feldman terminates Duaa Altaee from the University of Michigan while Altaee is on approved medical leave.
January 2018
  • The Ann Arbor Observer publishes the first of four articles concerning Foerster and Myria Petrou.
January–February 2018
  • January 26, 2018 and February 1, 2018: Maria Petrou is interviewed by FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas at the FBI Ann Arbor Resident Agency and reports concerns involving an individual identified as “Shonda,” who according to Maria Petrou exercised control or influence over Foerster and Myria Petrou.
  • January 30, 2018: FBI Special Agent Bobbi and HHS-OIG personnel interview Foerster and Myria Petrou at the FBI Detroit Field Office concerning separate matters, including reported death threats involving Myria Petrou and Duaa Altaee.
January–March 2018
  • January 26, 2018 and February 1, 2018: Maria Petrou is interviewed by FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas at the FBI Ann Arbor Office and reports concerns involving an individual identified as “Shonda,” who according to Maria Petrou exercised control or influence over Foerster and Myria Petrou.
  • January 30, 2018: FBI Special Agent Bobbi interviews Foerster and Myria Petrou at the FBI Detroit Field Office concerning separate matters, including reported death threats involving Myria Petrou and Duaa Altaee.
  • February 7, 2018: The Washtenaw County Prosecutor denies requested embezzlement charges against Foerster and Myria Petrou arising from AAPD Complaint No. 17-3517.
  • The denial memorandum states that probable cause was lacking, notes that Myria Petrou possessed durable power of attorney over the relevant bank accounts, and concludes that the matter was “clearly civil and does not rise to the level of criminal culpability.”
  • On the same date, AAPD initiates a separate criminal investigation involving allegations that Foerster and Myria Petrou had “stolen” two orange cats that had been adopted by the family approximately six months earlier as stray cats.
  • March 2, 2018: FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and HHS-OIG Special Agent Tyson Howard interview Foerster and Myria Petrou at the FBI Ann Arbor Office concerning NIH grant, VA grant, and related matters.
  • March 7, 2018: FBI and HHS-OIG conduct interview activity at the University of Michigan involving Cronin.
May 2018
  • Foerster and Myria Petrou are evicted by Bank of Ann Arbor from the Geddes Ridge residence at 630 Geddes Ridge.
  • Following the eviction, Foerster and Myria Petrou relocate to California to assist Foerster’s father in caring for his ill wife.
June–July 2018
  • During June and July 2018, Foerster undergoes University of Michigan peer review proceedings involving psychiatric evaluation and review activity.
Early August 2018
  • After returning to full-time work following approximately one year of approved medical disability leave, Foerster is served the same day with University of Michigan Bylaw 5.09 charge proceedings.
  • The charge allegations include assertions that Foerster made false allegations concerning NIH Grant R01 NS082304, Radiology billing practices, and misconduct allegations arising from civil litigation connected to AAPD activity.
Summer 2018
  • Myria Petrou is approved by the University of Michigan Department of Radiology to proceed for tenure review.
September 24, 2018
  • Myria Petrou resigns from the University of Michigan, citing a hostile work environment.
October 1, 2018
  • University of Michigan OIE memorandum documenting “Nick Bee”-related allegations is dated October 1, 2018.
October 31, 2018
  • The final NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for NIH Grant R01 NS082304 is submitted.
  • The RPPR describes data collection and analysis performed by Foerster’s team.
  • The report reflects minimal reported effort by co-principal investigator Welsh (0.1 calendar months) and does not attribute specific research activity or data analysis to Welsh during the final reporting period.
November 2018
  • The October 1, 2018 OIE memorandum is disclosed for the first time during Foerster’s University of Michigan Bylaw 5.09 proceedings.
  • Foerster’s Bylaw 5.09 proceedings continue before a University of Michigan Medical School ad hoc committee.
May 1, 2019
  • Foerster’s appeal concerning the Bylaw 5.09 proceedings is heard before the University of Michigan Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA).
June 2019
  • University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel recommends Foerster’s termination following the Bylaw 5.09 proceedings.
  • After Schlissel denies Foerster additional time to respond based on medical disability, Foerster resigns from the University of Michigan.
January 2024
  • Foerster and Myria Petrou complete payment obligations to all parties associated with the underlying litigation, including legal fees and court costs.
  • The total amount paid approximates the approximately $1.1 million redemption amount associated with the August 3, 2017 sheriff’s sale of the Geddes Ridge property at 630 Geddes Ridge.
November 2024
  • More than six years after their May 2018 eviction from the Geddes Ridge residence, Foerster and Myria Petrou purchase a new home.
2019–2024
  • Progressive FOIA disclosures reveal previously unproduced AAPD, UMPD, OIE, OGC, NIH, and federal records relating to the Foerster/Petrou chronology.
  • University of Michigan OGC memoranda involving FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and HHS-OIG communications involving Ella Kazerooni are withheld in full under advisory and privilege claims.
  • HHS-OIG later identifies AAPD-origin DVD media containing “Nick” emails alleging that Foerster and Myria Petrou were extorting Paul Cronin.
  • After earlier “no records” responses, AAPD later locates corresponding CD/DVD evidence associated with AAPD Complaint No. 17-3517.
  • NIH and University accounting records relating to NIH Grant R01 NS082304, including subcontract and RPPR-related materials involving Welsh, become subjects of continuing FOIA activity and dispute.
  • Continuing disputes arise concerning approximately $1.4 million in unreconciled Bank of Ann Arbor ledger activity associated with the August 3, 2017 sheriff’s sale credit bid, including subsequent principal reduction and servicing/accounting adjustments reflected in later records.
2023–2025
  • Additional FOIA requests and appeals focus on OGC chronology, “Nick” communications, FBI-related records, peer review records, and institutional decision-making connected to the 5.09 proceedings.
  • University of Michigan continues withholding, OGC memoranda, an FBI-generated document concerning Foerster and Myria Petrou, FBI/HHS-OIG-related communications, and additional federal records under advisory and privilege claims.
2026
  • DOJ initially describes the FBI file as relating to “Russia-Gate”-related allegations and later identifies approximately 522 pages of potentially responsive FBI records and responsive audio records associated with the underlying chronology.
  • Federal FOIA litigation proceeds in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in Foerster v. DOJ.
  • University of Michigan continues withholding a UMPD police report (involving a complaint by Dr. Feldman), two OGC “Russia-Gate” memoranda, an FBI-generated document concerning Foerster and Myria Petrou, and additional federal communication records involving FBI and HHS-OIG personnel.
  • Additional FOIA litigation and appeals continue concerning peer review proceedings, federal communications, OGC memoranda, and institutional handling of the underlying chronology.

Related background: Our Lives Before the Archive

The records expanded across institutions. The chronology remained.

Related Reporting

Author Image

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.