A Detroit state judge and three other residents were charged by federal prosecutors with participating in a scheme that spanned years to embezzle money from disabled and vulnerable people, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan reported.

The indictment identifies Andrea Bradley-Baskin, 46, a judge from Michigan's 36th District Court, who allegedly used $70,000 of a ward's funds to buy a stake in a local bar, in addition to diverting money from another ward's estate to pay for a two-year lease on a Ford Expedition for her personal use. “We respect the authority that comes with a black robe. This state judge and her cronies allegedly abused that high honor for their own benefit, taking advantage of those in need under the court's protection,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, who called the actions a “grave abuse of public trust.” The other defendants: In addition to Bradley-Baskin, the prosecution charged Nancy Williams, 59; Avery Bradley, 72; and Dwight Rashad, 69, all residents of Detroit. The four face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the indictment, Williams owned Guardian and Associates, an agency appointed as trustee by the Wayne County Probate Court in more than 1,000 incapacitated cases. Attorney Avery Bradley, along with his daughter Andrea Bradley-Baskin, ran a law firm that frequently represented this agency before the same court. Rashad, for her part, managed group homes and assisted living facilities, including some for the individuals under guardianship involved in the case. The prosecution also charged Avery Bradley with wire fraud, Bradley-Baskin and Rashad with multiple counts of money laundering, and the judge with making a false statement to a federal agent. Systematic Diversion of Funds: According to the indictment,The four defendants conspired to systematically embezzle funds belonging to those under their guardianship, obtaining and withholding money that legally belonged to these individuals and their estates. In one of the cases cited by prosecutors, the defendants allegedly diverted approximately $203,000 from a minor's legal settlement, without any of the money being used for the child's benefit. Part of the money, according to the prosecution, was allegedly used to pay Rashad rent for children who didn't even live on his properties.

Federal Investigation Underway

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Criminal Investigations.

“Regardless of a person's social standing, no one is above the law,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Detroit, noting that the defendants allegedly abused their legal authority to enrich themselves at the expense of those who depended on them for their care and protection.