Criminal Prosecution Declined, Restitution and Debarment “Both in Process”: Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou Ask University of Michigan General Counsel Patricia Petrowski for Answers
On October 16, 2026, Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou asked University of Michigan General Counsel Patricia Petrowski to meet and explain University counsel’s involvement in restitution and debarment discussions concerning NIH-funded ALS Grant R01NS082304.
The request follows years of efforts to establish what happened after Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou reported misconduct involving the grant.
Duaa Altaee reported sexual harassment and retaliation arising from Ms. Altaee’s grant work. Dr. Petrou supported Ms. Altaee through the University’s OIE/Title IX process. Dr. Foerster separately reported grant-related retaliation to that office. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou also raised concerns about grant funds, and Dr. Petrou submitted a grant complaint to HHS-OIG in July 2017.
The University subsequently relied on concerns attributed to HHS-OIG in Dr. Foerster’s dismissal proceedings. The dismissal charge letter also cited Dr. Foerster’s reporting of alleged fraud as grounds for dismissal, asserting that external investigations had not substantiated the allegations.
FBI records recently obtained through Dr. Foerster’s FOIA litigation against the U.S. Department of Justice revealed another part of the University’s involvement. A February 21, 2019 FBI record states that the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined criminal prosecution and documents discussions involving the FBI, HHS-OIG, and University counsel, with restitution and debarment “both in process.” Differently redacted releases identify Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou in the debarment passage; a third name remains redacted. Neither Dr. Foerster nor Dr. Petrou knew about the process at the time.
Subsequent searches have not supplied the underlying explanation. A search at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan yielded no responsive records concerning the documented decision not to pursue criminal charges against Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou. HHS-OIG reported no responsive debarment records for Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou. NIH grant closeout financial records obtained by Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou do not show the salary repayment described in FBI records.
The meeting request asks what restitution involved concerning NIH ALS Grant R01NS082304, whether any payment occurred, and the amount, source, recipient, and purpose of any payment. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou also ask whether anyone purported to reach an agreement without Dr. Foerster’s or Dr. Petrou’s knowledge or authorization, and whether any restrictions remain in effect.
The email includes the June 30, 2026 letter to Bank of Ann Arbor concerning the accounting for an approximately $1.4 million sheriff’s sale credit bid. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou ask whether the University received any related payment or transfer of value, while expressly acknowledging that no connection has been established between the bank transactions and the FBI-documented restitution.
The underlying events occurred during Timothy Lynch’s tenure as General Counsel. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou invite Ms. Petrowski to review the records and address the concern that University coordination with federal investigators constituted retaliation for misconduct reporting and support for a sexual-harassment complainant.
The consequences continue to affect Dr. Foerster, Dr. Petrou, and children Peter and Maria, both minors when the events occurred. Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou seek a meeting to clear the air and obtain the University’s explanation directly, rather than continue reconstructing the Office of General Counsel’s involvement through successive FOIA requests.
HHS-OIG Case 5-17-0-0192-4 Documentary Chronology
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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.