A Detroit Judge and Three Others Accused of Embezzling Nearly $300,000
A judge in Detroit, Andrea Bradley-Baskin, along with three others, are facing charges of embezzling close to $300,000 from wards of the state. The money was allegedly used for personal investments and purchasing a new car.
The scheme involved stealing from the estates of incapacitated individuals, who are labeled as wards by the courts. These wards have guardians or conservators appointed by the court to manage their finances, as per a federal indictment.
Bradley-Baskin is accused of taking $70,000 from one ward to invest in a local bar. She is also alleged to have used funds from another ward to lease a new Ford Expedition.
According to US Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr., the accused individuals abused their positions for personal gain, preying on those in need of protection by the court.
Bradley-Baskin, along with her father Avery Baskin, who are both attorneys, represented a firm appointed to manage the estates of over 1,000 incapacitated wards. The firm, Guardian and Associates, allegedly distributed funds to the judge, her father, and group home operator Dwight Rashad.
The indictment claims that $203,000 was taken from a ward’s legal settlement by Bradley, Rashad, and Williams, without any of the money benefiting the individual.
The four individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. FBI Special Agent Jennifer Runyan emphasized that no one is above the law, regardless of their position in society.
Bradley-Baskin is also charged with making a false statement to a federal law enforcement agent, while Bradley faces a wire fraud charge. Both Bradley and Rashad, along with Williams, are also charged with multiple counts of money laundering.
