DOJ Releases Second FBI Production: FBI Closed Case, HHS Pursued Debarment
On June 16, 2026, the Department of Justice released the second tranche of records in response to Dr. Bradley Foerster's FBI Freedom of Information Act litigation. Among the newly disclosed records are multiple references to a debarment process associated with HHS-OIG Case No. 5-17-0-0192-4.
The records are noteworthy because they show a debarment process continuing even after criminal prosecution had been declined and the FBI investigation was closed, yet do not explain what ultimately became of that process.
Readers seeking additional background may wish to review July 15 and July 20, 2017 HHS-OIG Complaints: NIH Grant Reporting, University of Michigan Radiology Billing Practices, and Subsequent Federal Records. As discussed in that post, the July 20, 2017 complaint submitted under Dr. Myria Petrou's name focused principally on allegations concerning University of Michigan Radiology billing practices and medical billing rather than grant-fraud allegations.
February 21, 2019: "Restitution and Debarment Both in Process"
One of the newly released FBI records is an Electronic Communication dated February 21, 2019 entitled Restitution and Debarment Both in Process.
According to the memorandum, University of Michigan officials advised federal investigators that approximately $294,284.02 would be removed from the NIH grant, that a letter-of-credit reduction would be submitted to NIH, and that Dr. Foerster and at least one additional redacted individual were "in the process of being debarred from future US Government grants."
The same memorandum also records that the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the matter advised that no criminal charges would be brought.
August 21, 2019: Criminal Investigation Closed
The HHS-OIG closing memorandum dated August 21, 2019 confirms that discussions with the Office of the United States Attorney resulted in a declination of criminal prosecution and that the criminal investigation was closed.
The memorandum describes the matter as involving alleged fraud relating to NIH Grant R01NS082304 at the University of Michigan.
October 15, 2019: FBI Requests Status Update
A second FBI memorandum dated October 15, 2019 reflects an inquiry to HHS-OIG concerning the status of the debarment process.
Notably, the memorandum appears to refer to the debarment status of "Drs." Foerster and one or more additional redacted individuals, suggesting that more than one physician may have been included in the process. The identity of those individuals remains redacted in the records released to date.
December 19, 2019: FBI Closes Case, HHS Plans to Pursue Debarment
A December 19, 2019 FBI case-closing memorandum states that HHS advised the FBI that the University of Michigan had returned approximately $250,000 in NIH grant funds.
The memorandum further states that the Department of Health and Human Services would pursue a debarment to preclude Dr. Foerster and one or more additional redacted individuals from obtaining future federal grants.
Notably, the same memorandum reflects that criminal prosecution had been declined by the United States Attorney's Office and that the FBI was closing its investigation. Thus, at the same time the FBI was closing its case, the records indicate that HHS intended to continue pursuing administrative remedies through a debarment process.
From Medical Billing to Debarment
By February 2019, federal records reflected discussions regarding NIH Grant R01NS082304, grant restitution, a reduction in the University's NIH letter of credit, and a debarment process. By August 2019, HHS-OIG characterized the matter as involving alleged fraud relating to the NIH grant.
The records released to date do not explain how allegations concerning radiology billing practices evolved into a matter involving NIH grant restitution and debarment.
Supervisory Responsibility
The newly released records also raise questions regarding supervisory responsibility. Duaa Altaee transferred to Dr. Eva Feldman's department in August 2016 and worked there during a significant portion of the period relevant to the grant. The records released to date do not explain how supervisory responsibilities were evaluated in connection with the debarment process.
No Apparent SAM Exclusion Records
As of June 17, 2026, searches of the federal System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion records using the names Bradley Foerster, Myria Petrou, and Duaa Altaee returned no matching exclusion or debarment records.
The significance of that result is unclear. The newly released FBI records nevertheless show that federal officials were discussing and apparently pursuing a debarment process during 2019.
Notice
One aspect of the newly released records is particularly noteworthy. Although the records repeatedly reference a debarment process during 2019, the records released to date do not contain any notice letter, proposed debarment notice, opportunity to respond, administrative determination, or final debarment decision directed to Dr. Foerster.
Nor has Dr. Foerster located any record indicating that he was informed of the process described in the FBI records.
The Newly Released Records Raise Three Obvious Questions
- Who were the additional redacted individuals referenced in the records?
- What became of the debarment process described in the records?
- Where are the records documenting notice and the ultimate disposition of the matter?
The records released to date do not contain notice letters, proposed debarment notices, administrative determinations, or final debarment decisions. Freedom of Information Act requests have now been submitted to HHS-OIG, NIH, and the University of Michigan seeking records concerning the debarment process, any referrals, communications regarding debarment, notice provided to affected individuals, and the ultimate disposition of the matter.
Exhibits
The documents discussed above are reproduced below.
Exhibit 1 – February 21, 2019 FBI Electronic Communication, "Restitution and Debarment Both in Process"
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Exhibit 2 – August 21, 2019 HHS-OIG Closing Memorandum
Exhibit 3 – October 15, 2019 FBI Memorandum Regarding Debarment Status
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Exhibit 4 – December 19, 2019 FBI Case Closing Memorandum
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Exhibit 5 – June 17, 2026 SAM Exclusion Search Results
Core Archive Documents
Case Model
Case Index
Federal Record Summary
Town & Gown: A Chronology (2014–2026)
From "This Will Ruin All Our Lives" to "I Will"
Selected Reporting
- From Mentor to Federal Investigation: The Dr. Eva Feldman Documentary Chronology
- July 26 Documentary Notice and Documentary Chronology Transmitted to City Attorney Kaur, Mayor Taylor, City Administrator Dohoney, and Police Chief Anderson Concerning Ann Arbor Police Department Investigations, Related City Proceedings, and Federal Investigations Involving Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou (2015–2026).
- July 7 Documentary Notice to University of Michigan Vice President and General Counsel Timothy G. Lynch Concerning University and Law Enforcement Investigations Involving Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou (2015–2026). July 8 UM Announces Lynch Leaving.
- 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
- The Institutional Fingerprint of the FBI Russia-Gate File: Referrals, Consults, Intelligence Reports, and the June 16, 2026 FBI Production
- Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou Document More Than Two Years of Unsuccessful Efforts to Trace Bank of Ann Arbor's $1.4 Million Sheriff's Sale Credit Bid (June 2026)
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.