Sen. Rand Paul is urging the Department of Justice to investigate a senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci who is accused of improperly concealing or destroying documents related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the senator called for a thorough investigation into allegations that Dr. David Morens may have hidden and erased records concerning the pandemic’s origins.
Mr. Paul cites emails obtained by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic that he said reveal “significant evidence” of potential violations of federal law by Dr. Morens.
“Moreover, newly revealed emails suggest a broader conspiracy within the NIH FOIA office to assist Dr. Morens in unlawfully destroying records and evading public records laws,” wrote Mr. Paul, Kentucky Republican.
The emails suggest that Dr. Morens might have attempted to evade Freedom of Information Act requests by destroying pertinent records.
Dr. Fauci has consistently dismissed theories suggesting that a laboratory leak was the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these repudiations, the emails provide substantial evidence that Dr. Morens may have acted inappropriately.
“It is imperative that your Department investigate the allegations against Dr. Morens and, if substantiated, ensure that he is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Mr. Paul’s letter stated.
The emails were between Dr. Morens and the president of EcoHealth Alliance, a non-governmental organization that received funding to conduct coronavirus research in Wuhan, China. The communications were recently scrutinized by House lawmakers.
For more information, visit The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.
• Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.