Resident of Chester, Maryland, Target Of DOJ Indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted former Senior NIAID Official Dr. David M. Morens on Tuesday for allegedly concealing, destroying and falsifying federal records, particularly emails, in order to evade Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) requests in connection with Covid-19 research grants.
Please follow us on Gab, Minds, Telegram, Rumble, Truth Social, Gettr, Twitter, Youtube
Morens, who lives in Chester, Maryland, is charged with conspiracy against the United States; destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations, concealment, removal, or mutilation of records; and aiding and abetting. Morens allegedly used private email to hide official communications and influence decisions involving federally funded coronavirus research.
Morens was the senior advisor in the NIAID's Office of the Director from 2006 to 2022. According to the indictment, Morens is accused of the following specific actions:
- Using a personal Gmail account to conduct official business about NIH‑funded coronavirus research, including work involving EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
- Concealing, deleting, or falsifying federal records that were subject to FOIA requests from groups such as Judicial Watch, the Heritage Foundation, and Science Magazine.
- Conspiring with others (including unnamed co‑conspirators tied to EcoHealth Alliance) to hide communications about a controversial NIH grant titled “Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence.”
- Attempting to influence NIH funding decisions and “back‑channeling” information to senior officials while keeping those communications off government systems.
- Receiving gifts, including wine and offers of high‑end meals, in connection with actions he took to support collaborators—allegedly a form of kickback.
- Suppressing alternative theories about the origins of COVID‑19 by concealing or altering records.
Each charge carries potential prison time, with some counts—such as destruction of federal records—carrying penalties of up to 20 years.
“These allegations represent a profound abuse of trust at a time when the American people needed it most — during the height of a global pandemic,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “As alleged in the indictment, Dr. Morens and his co-conspirators deliberately concealed information and falsified records in an effort to suppress alternative theories regarding the origins of COVID-19. Government officials have a solemn duty to provide honest, well-grounded facts and advice in service of the public interest — not to advance their own personal or ideological agendas.”
“Circumventing records protocols with the intention of avoiding transparency is something that will not be tolerated by this FBI,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Not only did Morens allegedly engage in the illegal obfuscation of his communications, but he received kickbacks for doing so. If you have engaged in activity conspiring against the United States, we will not stop until you face justice.”
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Baldwin and Bijon A. Mostoufi for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is not named in the indictment.
Link to DOJ Press Release:
