University of Michigan Confirms University Counsel Thomas Kent Records Exist Concerning Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou in Connection with Bylaw 5.09 or Federal-Grant Matters—and Withholds All of Them; FOIA Appeal Filed with President Dominic Grasso
On October 20, 2026, the University of Michigan confirmed that “responsive records” exist within the possession of University counsel Thomas Kent or his assistants under a request limited to Dr. Bradley Foerster’s Bylaw 5.09 proceedings and federal-grant matters involving Dr. Foerster or Dr. Myria Petrou.
UM withheld every responsive record as attorney-client privileged, advisory, or both.
The response does not reveal which part of the request produced the records. It establishes, however, that the Kent records are not merely generic records mentioning Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou: they fall within one or more of the specifically defined subjects—Bylaw 5.09 proceedings, federal-grant matters, or both.
Before joining the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel, Mr. Kent served as an attorney for the City of Ann Arbor and represented the Ann Arbor Police Department in matters arising from AAPD Case 17-3517.
In September 2017, Mr. Kent asked the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission not to release AAPD search-warrant materials concerning Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou to them.
The search-warrant affidavits relied in part on allegations from an unidentified caller known as “Nick.” "Nick" claimed to be a University of Michigan faculty member and placed calls displaying a University hospital switchboard number. "Nick" alleged that Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou had extorted Dr. Paul Cronin. AAPD incorporated Nick’s allegations into the probable-cause narrative supporting its continued criminal investigation of Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou.
After representing AAPD in court proceedings concerning the search warrants—and the absence of a corresponding District Court probable-cause file through which Dr. Foerster and Dr. Petrou could obtain judicial review—Mr. Kent left the City of Ann Arbor and joined the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel.
On July 17, 2025, Dr. Petrou requested records in the possession of Mr. Kent or his assistants that referenced Dr. Petrou or Dr. Foerster.
University of Michigan estimated that processing the request would cost $1,447 and required a $723 deposit. Dr. Petrou paid the deposit.
As of October 20, 2026—more than fifteen months later—University of Michigan had produced no records, issued no final determination, and continued to retain Dr. Petrou’s deposit.
The history of that request is documented here: Former Ann Arbor City Attorney Thomas Kent Joins University of Michigan Counsel — University Estimates $1,447 for Records Concerning Drs. Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou; No Records Produced After More Than a Year of Extensions .
Because University of Michigan did not complete Dr. Petrou’s broader request, Dr. Foerster began filing narrower requests to determine what subjects might account for the University’s $1,447 estimate.
One request sought Kent records concerning the Bank of Ann Arbor mortgage and the handling or transfer of property connected to AAPD Case 17-3517. UM reported that no responsive records existed.
On September 28, 2026, Dr. Foerster submitted FOIA Request No. 270591. That request was limited to records concerning:
- Dr. Foerster’s Bylaw 5.09 proceedings;
- NIH/NINDS Grant R01NS082304;
- VA and other federal research grants; and
- related investigations, complaints, referrals, administrative actions, debarment, funding restrictions, repayments, or restitution involving Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou.
UM did not issue another no-records response.
Instead, the University stated:
“Responsive records that exist are exempt and withheld from disclosure.”
UM invoked the attorney-client-privilege exemption under MCL 15.243(1)(g) and the advisory-communications exemption under MCL 15.243(1)(m). It also asserted that describing the records further would reveal exempt information and therefore declined to provide any additional description.
After more than fifteen months of delay on Dr. Petrou’s paid request, UM has now identified the subject matter of the Kent records more precisely: the records in part concern Dr. Foerster’s Bylaw 5.09 proceedings, federal-grant matters involving Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou, or some combination of those subjects.
The records exist. The University of Michigan simply will not disclose them.
On October 20, 2026, Dr. Bradley Foerster appealed the University’s denial to President Dominic Grasso and attached the original denial.
The appeal challenges the University’s decision to withhold every responsive record as attorney-client privileged “and/or” advisory. It requires the University to identify the exemption applicable to each record or meaningful category, identify the final University action associated with each advisory record, perform the required public-interest analysis, and release all reasonably segregable nonexempt material.
The appeal also identifies the substantial public interest in determining Thomas Kent’s role. Mr. Kent represented the City of Ann Arbor and AAPD in court proceedings arising from search warrants concerning Dr. Foerster and Dr. Myria Petrou and the absence of a corresponding District Court probable-cause file. The University now confirms that records held by Mr. Kent or his assistants concern Dr. Foerster’s Bylaw 5.09 proceedings, federal-grant matters involving Dr. Foerster or Dr. Petrou, or both.
If Mr. Kent later participated in those University matters, his overlapping roles would raise serious questions about institutional independence, conflicts, and the integrity of the University’s decision-making process. Determining whether that occurred presents a substantial public-interest question.
The appeal asks President Grasso to reverse the denial or order a record-specific review. It also makes clear that the University cannot decide the appeal by simply repeating its original denial. Any decision affirming the withholding must address each ground in the appeal specifically.
The appeal does not seek genuinely privileged legal advice. It requires the University to establish that each withheld record is exempt—and to release everything that is not.
5.09 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.