WASHINGTON — 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 records from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
According to a legal filing by Trump administration officials, Morens is accused of hiding and falsifying records to obstruct public and congressional debates about the origins of the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment alleges that he received kickbacks in exchange for his actions, including wine and offers of future meals at high-end restaurants.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former NIAID director and a prominent figure during the pandemic, is not named directly in the indictment. The charges stem from Morens' role as a senior adviser under Fauci’s leadership.