Michigan judge and 3 others charged in stealing from incapacitated adults

Detroit Judge Accused of Joining Scheme to Drain Funds From Incapacitated Adults

Summary

A Detroit district judge and three associates are now facing federal charges for allegedly siphoning money from adults who were legally unable to manage their own finances. Prosecutors say the group treated guardianship accounts like a personal ATM, moving more than $270,000 into their own ventures.

$270k / 4 = 67.5k each if divided equally… over several years. How much was she paid per year? Stoopid. Should have waited till she got to congress or something and went big.

What Happened?

Federal authorities announced a sweeping indictment accusing the four defendants of using guardianship appointments and legal authority to quietly extract funds from individuals under court protection. The money was allegedly rerouted into personal accounts, business investments, and everyday expenses — none of which, shockingly, were authorized by the wards they were supposed to be safeguarding.

The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements.

How about adding a little CCE (continuing criminal enterprise)… Were they in posession of weapons at the time? Throw that felony in. Throw it all against the wall and see what sticks. Like they would do to you.

Who Is Involved

Judge Andrea Bradley‑Baskin, 46 A sitting judge on Detroit’s 36th District Court, now accused of participating in the financial scheme and misleading federal investigators.
Nancy Williams, 59 Operator of Guardian and Associates, a private guardianship company appointed in more than 1,000 cases, giving her access to a staggering number of vulnerable adults’ finances.
Avery Bradley, 72 Longtime attorney charged with conspiracy and wire‑fraud offenses.
Dwight Rashad, 69 Detroit resident accused of assisting in the laundering of stolen funds.

When

The indictment was announced January 30, 2026, after years of financial irregularities finally caught the attention of federal investigators.

Where

The alleged misconduct occurred in Detroit, involving guardianship cases overseen in the Eastern District of Michigan.

How the Scheme Allegedly Worked

Prosecutors say the defendants:

Gained control of wards’ bank accounts through guardianship appointments.
Transferred funds into personal or business accounts.
Used the money for private purchases, including:
- A $70,000 investment in a local bar, because nothing says “fiduciary duty” like buying into nightlife.
- A Ford Expedition lease, presumably not for transporting incapacitated adults.
Filed incomplete or misleading probate documents to hide missing funds.
Lied to investigators when the paper trail started looking suspicious.

The victims were adults legally deemed unable to manage their own finances.

Statements From Prosecutors

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon criticized the alleged scheme, noting that those entrusted with protecting vulnerable adults instead “abused that high honor for personal gain.” In other words: the exact opposite of what the job description says.

Why This Case Matters

1. Erosion of Public Trust A sitting judge being indicted is never great for confidence in the justice system. 2. Guardianship Oversight Problems Michigan’s guardianship system has long been criticized for weak monitoring — this case is Exhibit A. 3. Harm to Vulnerable Adults The victims were individuals who legally couldn’t defend themselves financially. 4. Professional Accountability The case raises questions about how much oversight judges, guardians, and attorneys actually face once appointed.