Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Two Detroit residents have been charged in separate cases involving federal student aid fraud, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon. The two defendants, Brandon Robinson and Michelle Hill, are accused of schemes that resulted in the fraudulent disbursement of over $12 million in Federal Student Aid (FSA) benefits.
Brandon Robinson, 41, was arrested and appeared in federal court on charges of wire fraud related to false FSA claims. According to the criminal complaint, Robinson led a scheme between January 2015 and February 2024 that used “straw students” enrolled at more than 100 schools across 24 states. These individuals were allegedly enrolled primarily to obtain FSA funds. The complaint alleges that Robinson submitted fraudulent claims for over 1,200 people, resulting in more than $16 million being awarded and over $10 million actually disbursed. In addition to the student aid fraud, it is alleged that Robinson filed more than 100 false unemployment insurance claims between April 2020 and March 2023, which led to over $1 million in unemployment benefits being paid out.
Michelle Hill, 48, faces similar wire fraud charges for her role in a separate scheme involving FSA benefits. She was arrested and made her initial court appearance after being charged with devising a plan between July 2015 and July 2025 that involved enrolling more than 80 individuals—mostly at Wayne County Community College—in coordinated degree programs and online courses. The complaint alleges Hill often completed coursework on behalf of these students to make it appear they were progressing toward degrees and thus prolong their eligibility for financial aid. It is claimed that this scheme led to the awarding of over $3 million in FSA benefits with about $2.5 million actually disbursed.
“A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigations are completed, determinations will be made whether to seek felony indictments,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Ryan A. Particka. Investigations into Robinson’s activities involve both the Department of Education Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG) and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The investigation into Hill’s case is being conducted by agents from DOE-OIG.
