Ex-Fauci adviser pleads guilty to plotting to conceal COVID-19 research records during pandemic

A former top adviser to renowned infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to hide federal records related to research on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. David Morens, 78, faces sentencing on November 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States government, a felony that can result in up to five years in prison.

Prosecutors allege that Morens used his personal email account to evade public records laws while working at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department claims he concealed or destroyed records of discussions concerning COVID-19 research grants, including a plan to revive a disputed coronavirus grant.

This follows an investigation by House Republicans into the pandemic's origins, which examined Morens' email communications and accused him of deliberately hiding records. In prior congressional testimony, Morens denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not attempt to circumvent federal transparency laws using his private email.

Dr. Fauci, 89, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a congressional hearing about his management of the COVID-19 pandemic in July. In a recent development, Fauci declined a request to voluntarily testify before a Senate panel last Friday after majority Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee voted to hold him in contempt of Congress. Fauci was not charged in connection with the case against Morens.