The Record That Exists — and Doesn’t: Communications With a Federal Agent
HHS-OIG: No Responsive Documents Exist
On March 2, 2018, Dr. Bradley Foerster and his wife, Dr. Myria Petrou, were interviewed at the FBI's Ann Arbor office by FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and an individual who identified himself as HHS-OIG Agent Tyson Howard. The individual identifying himself as Howard did not show Foerster or Dr. Petrou a federal identification badge, but provided them with an HHS-OIG business card.
Nearly eight years later, FOIA requests to the University of Michigan and HHS-OIG produced sharply different determinations concerning communications between Howard and University of Michigan Professor Dr. Ella Kazerooni.
In January 2026, Dr. Petrou submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the University of Michigan seeking communications between Dr. Kazerooni and HHS-OIG Agent Tyson Howard referencing Dr. Petrou and several other named individuals.
On February 2, 2026, the University responded:
The University invoked Michigan FOIA's exemption for certain communications and notes of an advisory nature, stating that the public interest in encouraging frank communication between employees of public bodies outweighed the public interest in disclosure.
Dr. Petrou appealed the denial. On February 17, 2026, the University President's Office denied the appeal and affirmed the University's determination.
It had located a responsive communication between Dr. Kazerooni and Tyson Howard, but would not release it.
In July, Dr. Foerster submitted a corresponding federal FOIA request directly to HHS-OIG seeking:
The request specifically informed HHS-OIG that the University had already identified a responsive communication and withheld it from disclosure. A copy of the University's determination was provided to HHS-OIG with the request.
HHS-OIG issued its final determination on August 3, 2026:
HHS-OIG further advised Foerster of his right to appeal “the finding that no records exist within OIG responsive to your request.”
The two determinations are difficult to reconcile.
Importantly, HHS-OIG conducted its search with knowledge of the University's determination. Dr. Foerster expressly informed HHS-OIG that the University had identified a responsive communication and provided HHS-OIG with a copy of the University's response.
The documentary record therefore presents a straightforward question:
That question takes on additional significance because the HHS-OIG investigation was subsequently relied upon by the University in proceedings against Foerster.
No conclusion is offered here as to why the two institutional determinations differ.
The documents are reproduced below so readers can examine the record for themselves.
Related Reporting: Sworn Affidavits Document the March 2, 2018 FBI Interview and Subsequent Efforts to Verify HHS-OIG Agent Tyson Howard
Exhibit 1 — University of Michigan FOIA Determination
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Exhibit 2 — University of Michigan FOIA Appeal Decision
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Exhibit 3 — Reciprocal HHS-OIG FOIA Request
Exhibit 4 — HHS-OIG Final FOIA Determination
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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.