Who Was “Tyson Howard”? HHS-OIG FOIA Request No. 26-0589 and Senator Chris Van Hollen Constituent-Assistance Request (2026)
June 17, 2026 — FOIA Request for Records Concerning “Tyson Howard”
On June 17, 2026, Dr. Bradley Foerster submitted a FOIA request to HHS-OIG seeking records sufficient to identify the assignment, participation, supervision, approval authority, office assignment, responsibilities, duties, and role of the individual identified as HHS-OIG Special Agent “Tyson Howard” in connection with HHS-OIG Case No. 5-17-0-0192-4.
FOIA.gov recorded the submission as Submission ID 2974656. HHS-OIG acknowledged receipt and assigned the matter FOIA Request No. 26-0589.
June 17, 2026 FOIA.gov submission receipt and original request seeking HHS-OIG records concerning the assignment, responsibilities, duties, and role of “Tyson Howard” in HHS-OIG Case No. 5-17-0-0192-4.
Why the Identity and Official Role Remain Unresolved
The request arose from the March 2, 2018 FBI Ann Arbor interview, conducted by FBI Special Agent Sue Lucas and an individual who identified himself as HHS-OIG Special Agent “Tyson Howard.” A later FBI record confirms that an HHS-OIG special agent participated in the interview but redacts the special agent’s identity.
Sworn affidavits executed by Dr. Myria Petrou and Dr. Bradley Foerster on April 10, 2019 documented the interview and the subsequent inability to verify the individual’s identity. HHS-OIG advised Dr. Foerster that the agency had no record of an employee named Tyson Howard.
In November 2021, Dr. Petrou and Dr. Foerster called the cellular telephone number printed on the business card provided during the interview. The individual who answered identified himself as “Howard” but stated that the individual did not know Dr. Petrou or Dr. Foerster.
HHS-OIG nevertheless later located responsive records concerning the “Tyson Howard” requests and withheld the records in full. On administrative appeal, HHS described the withheld material as including a federal-agent badge ID and email address concerning an individual who was not a target of the investigation but was mentioned in law-enforcement files.
The released records therefore confirm participation by an HHS-OIG special agent and the existence of responsive identifying records, but do not establish whether the individual who participated in the March 2, 2018 interview was officially named, assigned, or authorized as “Tyson Howard.”
The June 17, 2026 request narrowed that unresolved question to HHS-OIG Case No. 5-17-0-0192-4. The case’s October 6, 2017 opening memorandum identified both University of Michigan medical-billing and MiChart allegations and alleged fraud involving NIH Grant R01NS082304.
HHS-OIG’s August 21, 2019 Closing Investigative Memorandum addressed the NIH grant investigation, stated that the case involved possible violations of 18 U.S.C. § 666, and recorded a U.S. Attorney’s Office declination of criminal prosecution and closure of the criminal case. Neither memorandum identifies the official role of “Tyson Howard” in the investigation.
August 21 and September 3, 2026 — Follow-Up Requests to HHS-OIG
After HHS-OIG acknowledged FOIA Request No. 26-0589 but did not issue a written determination, Dr. Foerster followed up on August 21 and September 3, 2026. Dr. Foerster requested the status of the request, HHS-OIG’s determination, and confirmation of whether responsive records had been located.
September 7, 2026 — Assistance Requested from Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office
On September 7, 2026, Dr. Foerster requested constituent assistance from the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. The submission identified HHS-OIG FOIA Request No. 26-0589 and provided Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office with the underlying documentary record concerning “Tyson Howard.”
The request was direct:
“Please ask HHS-OIG for the request’s status and determination.”
September 21, 2026 — HHS-OIG Written Determination Requested
On September 21, 2026, after receiving no response to the August 21 or September 3 follow-up, Dr. Foerster again wrote HHS-OIG. Citing 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i), Dr. Foerster specifically requested the agency’s written determination on FOIA Request No. 26-0589.
Dr. Foerster explained that the request did not ask HHS-OIG to abbreviate any necessary processing or review. The request asked HHS-OIG to state whether the agency would comply, whether responsive records had been located, and whether any records would be withheld or otherwise disposed of.
Dr. Foerster also asked HHS-OIG to identify the applicable statutory basis and relevant dates if the agency contended that the determination period had been extended under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B) or another provision.
The records reproduced in this post do not include an HHS-OIG written determination resolving FOIA Request No. 26-0589. The identity and official role of “Tyson Howard” in HHS-OIG Case No. 5-17-0-0192-4 therefore remain unresolved in the documentary record presented here.
Selected Reporting
- Bradley Foerster Submits 140-Exhibit, 1,121-Page Documentary Chronology to FBI for Supervisory Review of the Investigation Involving Dr. Bradley Foerster, Dr. Myria Petrou, and Duaa Altaee
- 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
- Eva Feldman Documentary Chronology: 139 Exhibits on NIH R01NS082304, University Proceedings, and Federal Investigation — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Send Ann Arbor Officials Documentary Chronology on AAPD and Related Federal Investigations — No Response Received
- Timothy Lynch Documentary Chronology: 63 Exhibits on University of Michigan Office of General Counsel, University Investigations, and Law Enforcement — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Documentary Chronology: 8 Exhibits Document More Than Two Years of Efforts to Trace Bank of Ann Arbor's $1.4 Million Sheriff's Sale Credit Bid — No Response Received
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 a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.