A Detroit judge, her attorney father, and two others charged in alleged scheme to embezzle nearly $300,000
A Detroit judge, her attorney father, and two other individuals were charged by federal prosecutors in an alleged “years-long scheme” to embezzle nearly $300,000 from individuals deemed incapacitated or vulnerable.
Judge Andrea Bradley-Baskin, 46, is alleged to have used funds from wards to purchase an ownership stake in a bar and pay for a new Ford Expedition lease for herself.
In addition to Bradley-Baskin, her father, Avery Bradly, 72, Nancy Williams, 59, and Dwight Rashad, 69, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and several counts of money laundering. The judge also faces a charge for making a false statement to a federal law enforcement agent.
Bradley-Baskin and her father Avery managed the estates of over 1,000 incapacitated wards, with Guardian & Associates, run by Nancy Williams, allegedly siphoning funds to them and Rashad.
Bradley, Rashad, and Williams are accused of stealing $203,000 from a ward’s legal settlement without spending anything on the individual.
Guardian and Associates allegedly paid Rashad for individuals who were not living in his facilities.
Probate courts appoint guardians and conservators to manage the affairs of adults deemed incapacitated. Nancy Williams owned Guardian and Associates, appointed as a fiduciary for over 1,000 cases by the Wayne County Probate Court.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
“We respect the authority that covers a black robe. This state judge and her cronies allegedly abused that high honor for personal gain by preying on the needy protected by the court,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon.
FBI Detroit Field Office chief Jennifer Runyan said, “Regardless of a person’s position in society, no one is above the law,” and accused the defendants of exploiting their authority to profit from vulnerable people.
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