Dr. David Morens, a onetime senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to conspiring to evade federal transparency and records requirements by concealing communications involving COVID-19 research grants.
While working at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Morens deliberately conducted government-related business through a personal email account in an effort to avoid requirements under the Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Records Act.
Federal prosecutors said Morens concealed or destroyed communications concerning COVID-19 research funding, including discussions surrounding an attempt to restore a controversial coronavirus research grant.
According to his guilty plea, Morens and two unnamed co-conspirators communicated in writing about keeping their exchanges beyond the reach of public disclosure. They used Morens’ personal Gmail account instead of his official National Institutes of Health email address, including when sharing information from NIH that was not publicly available.
The plea agreement also states that one of the co-conspirators rewarded Morens with wine for his “behind-the-scenes shenanigans” and arranged to have the gift delivered to Morens’ home in Maryland.
Prosecutors said Morens subsequently discussed an official action he could take to “deserve” the gift. That action involved writing a scientific commentary for a prominent medical journal arguing that COVID-19 originated naturally.
According to the guilty plea, the same co-conspirator also suggested that Morens could receive additional benefits, including meals at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, New York and Washington, D.C.
The case has also drawn renewed attention to Fauci’s relationship with Morens. During a recent Senate hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned about his dealings with his onetime adviser.
Fauci had previously addressed Morens’ conduct during a House committee hearing in 2024, describing what Morens had done as “wrong” while maintaining that he had not been involved in those activities.
Morens could receive as much as five years behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for November.
“Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did and will continue to do so,” his defense attorney, Timothy Belevetz, said in a statement.
{Matzav.com}
