Former Top Fauci Adviser Charged with Evading Transparency Laws During Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges yesterday against David Morens, a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, for allegedly evading federal transparency laws while working to reinstate funding for high-risk coronavirus research during the pandemic.

Prosecutors allege Morens instructed colleagues to communicate via his private Gmail account to avoid Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In one email, he wrote,

"I can either send stuff to Tony on his private Gmail [sic], or hand it to him at work or at his house."

"I learned from our FOIA lady here how to make emails disappear after I am FOIA'd but before the search starts."

The DOJ’s criminal referral came from Rep. Brad Wenstrup, former chairman of the House COVID Subcommittee. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche condemned the alleged actions, stating,

"These allegations represent a profound abuse of trust at a time when the American people needed it most — during the height of a global pandemic."

Key Figures and Allegations

Morens frequently corresponded with Peter Daszak, former head of the now-shuttered EcoHealth Alliance, which received federal funding to study bat coronaviruses in Wuhan, China. The DOJ indictment refers to Daszak as "Co-Conspirator 1."

Prosecutors allege Morens promised to "protect" Daszak and facilitate communications between him and Fauci. Additionally, Daszak allegedly gifted wine to Morens in exchange for advocacy on his behalf.

EcoHealth Alliance’s Role and Consequences

EcoHealth Alliance conducted gain-of-function research, which involves manipulating viruses to increase their virulence, at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Trump administration terminated some of EcoHealth’s funding in April 2020. Later, the Biden administration debarred both EcoHealth Alliance and Daszak from receiving federal funds due to transparency violations.

FISA Reauthorization Delayed Amid Privacy Concerns

A House vote to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was postponed yesterday. The law, set to expire on Thursday, allows federal intelligence agencies to surveil communications of foreign targets without a warrant. Privacy advocates argue it creates a "gaping hole" in Fourth Amendment protections by permitting surveillance of Americans communicating with targeted foreigners.