A former senior official at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly concealing government records during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
David M. Morens, 78, who served as a senior adviser from 2006 to 2022, faces multiple charges including conspiracy against the United States, destruction or falsification of records, and concealment of federal documents.
Prosecutors allege Morens participated in a scheme to evade Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to COVID-19 research grants by hiding or altering communications.
The indictment claims he and others used non-government communication channels and took steps to prevent records from being disclosed, potentially obstructing federal transparency requirements during the pandemic.
If convicted, Morens could face significant penalties. The case is part of broader federal scrutiny into how pandemic-related research and communications were handled by government officials.
Link to DOJ Press Release:
