Federal prosecutors in Michigan have charged two Detroit residents in separate schemes that defrauded the Federal Student Aid system of more than $12 million.
The charges, announced by the U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, underscore how programs designed to help students can be exploited on a massive scale when oversight breaks down.
The first case involves Brandon Robinson, 41, who prosecutors say ran one of the most expansive financial aid fraud schemes in recent memory.
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According to investigators, Robinson orchestrated a years-long operation involving more than 1,200 so-called “straw students” who were never enrolled in college to pursue a degree.
Instead, their names and information were used to file fraudulent aid applications at more than 100 schools in 24 states.
From 2015 to early 2024, Robinson allegedly caused more than $16 million in federal aid to be awarded, with $10 million actually disbursed. Court filings further allege that Robinson took advantage of the pandemic by filing more than 100 fraudulent unemployment claims, resulting in an additional $1 million in taxpayer costs.
Robinson was arrested Thursday and made his first court appearance the same day.
The second case charges Michelle Hill, 48, with wire fraud for her role in a separate scheme operating between 2015 and this year.
Prosecutors allege Hill filed fraudulent aid applications for more than 80 individuals, many tied to Wayne County Community College.
Investigators say Hill often completed the coursework herself, making it appear the students were progressing academically so their eligibility for federal aid could continue.
As a result, she allegedly caused more than $3 million in student aid to be awarded, with $2.5 million actually paid out. Hill was arrested Wednesday and appeared before a federal magistrate that afternoon.
Both cases highlight the vulnerabilities of federal student aid programs, which have long been targets for fraud despite years of reforms.
Funds intended to help legitimate students access education were instead funneled into fraudulent schemes that stretched across states and lasted nearly a decade.
Officials emphasized that the complaints represent allegations rather than convictions, but the scale of the alleged fraud makes these prosecutions some of the most significant in recent years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Neal and Ryan Particka are leading the prosecutions.
Robinson’s case is being investigated by the Department of Education, Department of Labor, and FBI, while Hill’s case is being handled by the Department of Education’s Inspector General.
If convicted, both defendants face prison sentences, restitution orders, and the possibility of forfeiture of assets.
The prosecutions send a broader message: federal authorities are prepared to pursue those who abuse taxpayer-funded programs.
For every dollar stolen, opportunities are taken away from real students. These cases show how seriously the government is taking fraud that undermines both education access and public trust.
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