David Morens, a former senior adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has pleaded guilty to hiding federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. His guilty plea involves a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.
Guilty Plea: On August 18, 2026, Morens, 78, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. He faces up to five years in prison.
Background: Morens worked at NIAID from 2006 until 2022 and was indicted in April 2026 with five charges related to the scheme.
Co-Conspirators: He collaborated with two others, including Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, which had financial ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Concealment Activities: Morens and his co-conspirators used personal email accounts to discuss COVID-19-related information and circumvent public records laws.
Illegal Gratuities: As part of the conspiracy, Morens received gifts, including wine, from a co-conspirator for assistance with the scheme.
Fauci's Involvement: Emails suggest Morens communicated with Anthony Fauci, former NIAID director, though Fauci has distanced himself from Morens' actions, stating they were against policy.
Congressional Investigation: Congressional Republicans have been investigating COVID-19's origins and have scrutinized Fauci’s and Morens’ actions during the pandemic.
David Morens' guilty plea highlights efforts to conceal information during the COVID-19 pandemic and raises questions about records management within federal agencies related to public health emergencies. The case continues to unfold amid ongoing investigations into the origins of COVID-19 and the involvement of government officials.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-morens-niaid-pleads-guilty-covid-records/
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