Federal prosecutors have brought charges against Detroit 36th District Court Judge Andrea Bradley-Baskin, accusing her of participating in a conspiracy to misappropriate funds from vulnerable individuals, including those deemed legally incapacitated in the Detroit area. Alongside her, authorities have also charged Nancy Williams, who owns Guardian and Associates, as well as her fiancé, Dwight Rashad, a convicted felon, in connection with the alleged scheme.
According to federal investigators, the operation specifically targeted people placed under guardianship—individuals who rely entirely on the legal system and court-appointed officials to manage and safeguard their finances, property, and overall well-being. Bradley-Baskin, who was elected to the bench in November 2024, is accused by prosecutors of personally benefiting from the alleged conspiracy.
Investigators claim that she used approximately $54,250 in funds connected to the scheme to rent a townhouse valued at nearly $900,000 in Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood, located near Little Caesars Arena. In addition, prosecutors allege that over $29,000 taken from victims was used to rent a separate residence in Westland. Property records indicate that Bradley-Baskin had been living at the Westland property as early as 2019, suggesting a longer timeline of potential financial activity tied to the case.
The accusations extend well beyond questionable rental payments. One of the most alarming allegations involves Frankie James, a legally incapacitated woman who was under the supervision of a court-appointed guardian. Authorities claim that James’ Detroit home was sold for just one dollar to a company owned by Corey Baskin, the judge’s husband. The property was later resold for $140,000. If these claims are substantiated, they would illustrate a severe abuse of the guardianship system, which is specifically intended to protect individuals in such vulnerable positions.
Another case highlighted in the investigation concerns Ethel Ciotti, a late resident of Lincoln Park. Her home was reportedly sold by her court-appointed personal representative, attorney Avery Bradley—who is also the father of Judge Bradley-Baskin. Both Avery Bradley and Bradley-Baskin are currently under FBI investigation as part of the broader case.
Federal prosecutors have also taken steps to secure assets believed to be linked to the alleged scheme. Authorities filed a federal lien on an office building in Oak Park, indicating that the property could potentially be seized by the government due to its alleged connection to bribery and other federal offenses. In May 2025, prosecutors filed an additional lien on a home in Southfield that may also be subject to forfeiture. Investigators believe these properties help trace the financial trail of the suspected conspiracy across the Detroit metropolitan area.
The FBI has further obtained search warrants that allow agents to seize records related to the care and financial management of minors and legally incapacitated individuals. These warrants include documentation connected to Bradley-Baskin’s legal work in guardianship cases. Federal investigators are now closely reviewing these materials as part of their ongoing inquiry.
Cases like this have serious implications for public trust in the justice system. Guardianship courts are designed to protect individuals who cannot advocate for themselves, including elderly people, minors, and those with mental or physical incapacities. These individuals often lack the ability to monitor their own finances or challenge decisions made on their behalf, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation.
When allegations arise against those entrusted with such responsibilities, the consequences extend far beyond the immediate victims. Situations like this erode confidence in the legal system as a whole. The seriousness of these accusations is further heightened by the involvement of multiple members of the same family—a father acting as a court-appointed representative, a daughter serving as a judge, and a husband allegedly benefiting from a questionable property transaction involving an incapacitated individual.
If prosecutors are able to prove these allegations in court, the case would represent not only corruption but also a deeply troubling misuse of a system designed to safeguard society’s most vulnerable members.
Bradley-Baskin’s election to the bench in 2024 also raises additional concerns. Reports indicate that the FBI investigation was already underway at the time voters elected her. This highlights an ongoing issue in many large cities, where corruption investigations often remain out of public view until formal charges are announced. As a result, voters are left without access to critical information that could influence their decisions at the ballot box.
