Ex-Fauci Adviser Pleads Guilty to Plotting to Conceal COVID-19 Research Records A former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to conceal federal records related to research on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. David Morens, 78, of Chester, Maryland, admitted to the charge during a court hearing on Tuesday, facing a potential maximum prison sentence of five years for the felony of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government. His sentencing is scheduled for November 12 before U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens, who served as a senior adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is accused of using his private email account to intentionally bypass public records laws while employed at the agency. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including efforts to revive a controversial coronavirus grant. The indictment stems from a congressional investigation led by House Republicans into the origins of the pandemic, which scrutinized Morens’ email communications and accused him of deliberately hiding records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email. However, the Justice Department’s case hinges on the claim that his actions violated public records requirements. The probe by House Republicans, which focused on the handling of pandemic-related research, led to the indictment. Morens’ defense attorney, Tim Belevetz, stated in a post-hearing statement that his client has taken responsibility for his actions and will continue to do so.#house_republicans #congressional_investigation #dr_anthony_fauci #dr_david_morens
