Indictment of Former Fauci Aide
The Justice Department revealed on Tuesday that a former advisor to Anthony Fauci, who was at the forefront of the government’s pandemic response, has been indicted.
David Morens, aged 78, is accused of breaking recording protocols to conceal information related to the pandemic from Freedom of Information Act inquiries, as noted in a release from the Department of Justice.
Allegations suggest that Morens “collaborated in writing with co-conspirators to intentionally conceal their communications from public access,” opting to use his personal Gmail account instead of his official NIH email.
Reportedly, in exchange for what some might call a “prank,” Morens accepted gifts like wine and meals at Michelin-starred restaurants located in cities such as Paris, New York, and Washington, D.C.
An email supposedly directed to Fauci indicated an admission of the concealment of communications. In it, Morens suggested: “You can email Tony in your private Gmail, or you can hand it to him at work or at home. He’s too smart to let his co-workers send him anything that could get him in trouble.”
Fauci denied any knowledge of these emails and distanced himself from Morens, asserting that Morens was not among his top advisors.
According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, these claims pose a serious violation of trust during a period when the public was in dire need of reliable information amid a global pandemic. “Dr. Morens and his co-conspirators allegedly withheld information and falsified records to suppress alternative theories regarding the origins of COVID-19,” he noted.
Morens faces charges including conspiracy against the United States, as well as destruction or alteration of records within a federal investigation.
Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State, remarked that he had made it clear back in March 2020 that the virus likely originated from a lab in Wuhan. He criticized the efforts to discredit this knowledge, labeling the situation as a significant abuse of public trust.
Senator Tom Cotton expressed relief that the federal government is holding those responsible accountable, arguing that it’s not a conspiracy to claim the coronavirus leaked from a lab in China; it’s simply common sense.
If found guilty, Morens could face up to 20 years in prison for each record destruction charge, with additional time possible for the other accusations.
