A judge from Detroit, along with three others, has been indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly engaging in an extensive scheme to embezzle funds from vulnerable individuals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that Andrea Bradley Baskin, who is 46 and a district judge in Michigan’s 36th District Court, was charged with misappropriating $70,000 from court funds to buy a stake in a local bar. Additionally, she reportedly embezzled money to cover a two-year lease on a Ford Expedition for her personal use.
“We respect the authority of the court, and this state judge and her associates are accused of taking advantage of those in need, misusing their positions for personal benefits,” U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon stated. He emphasized that such actions represent a major violation of public trust.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, added that no one should be above the law, saying these defendants allegedly conspired to steal from the most vulnerable citizens, abusing their legal authority and profiting from those they were meant to protect.
All four individuals—Detroit residents Nancy Williams (59), Avery Bradley (72), Dwight Rashad (69), and Bradley Baskin—are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, prosecutors revealed. The indictment also includes wire fraud charges against Bradley, along with multiple counts of money laundering for Bradley, Baskin, and Rashad. Furthermore, Baskin faces a charge for making false statements to a federal officer.
As outlined by the prosecutor’s office, probate courts often appoint guardians to oversee the affairs of adults deemed incapable of managing their own matters. Williams owned Guardian and Associates, Inc., which served over 1,000 cases as a trustee for incapacitated wards, while Avery Bradley is an attorney and Baskin’s mother. The indictment alleges a systematic effort by the group to embezzle funds intended for these wards.
In one instance, it’s alleged that the group misappropriated approximately $203,000 from a case settlement intended for a ward’s benefit, with claims that the money was never used on the ward. Additionally, it was suggested that Williams paid Rashad’s rent for a ward who was not residing in his home.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by both the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
