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 fraudulent schemes to obtain federal student aid, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon. The charges stem from two criminal complaints alleging wire fraud related to Federal Student Aid (FSA).
Brandon Robinson, 41, of Detroit, is accused of leading a multi-year scheme that involved submitting false FSA claims using the identities of other individuals. Authorities allege that between January 2015 and February 2024, Robinson orchestrated fraudulent applications for more than 1,200 people across over 100 schools in 24 states. The complaint states that these actions resulted in more than $16 million in awarded FSA benefits, with over $10 million actually disbursed. In addition to the FSA allegations, Robinson is also accused of filing more than 100 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims from April 2020 to March 2023, resulting in over $1 million being paid out.
Michelle Hill, 48, also of Detroit, faces similar charges connected to a different FSA scheme. The complaint alleges that between July 2015 and July 2025, Hill executed a plan involving more than 80 individuals—many enrolled at Wayne County Community College—to fraudulently secure federal student aid funds. It is further alleged that Hill often completed coursework on behalf of these students to give the appearance they were making academic progress and remained eligible for financial aid. According to authorities, her scheme led to the awarding of over $3 million in FSA benefits and the disbursement of more than $2.5 million.
"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 officials.
The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Ryan A. Particka. The investigation into Robinson was conducted jointly by agents from the Department of Education Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG), Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and received assistance from the FBI’s Detroit – Macomb County Resident Agency. Agents from DOE-OIG led the investigation into Hill.
