David Morens, a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has been indicted on charges of concealing federal records related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The indictment, announced by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, alleges that Morens used his personal Gmail account to evade public records requests and obstruct investigations.
Prosecutors claim that Morens, 78, conspired with two unnamed co-conspirators to hide communications about a NIAID research grant awarded to a company that sub-awarded funds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. After the grant was terminated amid concerns about a potential lab leak of the coronavirus, Morens allegedly sought to restore funding and counter the lab leak narrative.
The indictment further accuses Morens of accepting illegal gratuities, including wine and offers of meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, in exchange for official acts. One alleged act involved drafting a scientific commentary advocating for the natural origins of Covid-19. The Department of Justice stated that Morens identified this commentary as an act to 'deserve' the gift.
Morens faces multiple charges, including conspiracy against the United States, destruction of records, and aiding and abetting. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for falsifying records. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the allegations as 'a profound abuse of trust' during the pandemic.
