A former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government by plotting to conceal federal records pertaining to research on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. David Morens entered his plea Tuesday in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Morens, 78, faces a maximum prison sentence of five years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis. His defense attorney, Tim Belevetz, stated that Morens has accepted responsibility for his actions.
The Justice Department alleges that Morens used his personal email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while working at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The indictment claims he concealed or destroyed documents discussing COVID-19 research grants, including efforts to reinstate a controversial coronavirus grant.
This case follows an investigation by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that probe, Morens' email communications were scrutinized, and he was accused of deliberately withholding records. However, Morens had previously denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email in congressional testimony.
Dr. Anthony Fauci himself was not charged in the case against Morens. Fauci has previously invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a congressional hearing concerning his management of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also recently declined a request to appear before a Senate panel after committee Republicans voted to hold him in contempt of Congress.