Staff Reports
In a recent hearing before Congress, former National Institutes of Health official Anthony Fauci has addressed the controversy surrounding his aide’s handling of emails. David Morens, a senior adviser to Fauci, had reportedly turned over thousands of emails to a congressional subcommittee, revealing efforts to evade open records laws.
According to the emails, Morens had deleted information that could be subject to freedom of information requests and implied that Fauci had tried to “protect” a scientist who had lost federal funding. However, Fauci has distanced himself from these claims, stating that Morens’ assertions are not accurate.
Fauci distances himself from adviser's scandal – Washington Examiner https://t.co/BKoLaFgZVp
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) June 3, 2024
Fauci also acknowledged that using personal email for official business and deleting official records to avoid transparency laws violate NIAID policy. He denied ever conducting official business using his personal email or private phone, countering the allegations brought forth by Morens and the congressional committee.
In response to claims that Morens could freely access his office, Fauci clarified that Morens did not have such unrestricted access. Additionally, Fauci’s counsel has been contacted regarding requests for his email records.
The scrutiny and requests for Fauci’s private email and phone records, driven by the congressional committee, suggest an ongoing effort to hold him accountable. As the controversy continues, it remains to be seen how Fauci and his team will respond to these requests for further disclosure.
Overall, the hearing provided Fauci with an opportunity to address and refute the allegations made by his aide, while also reaffirming his commitment to following NIAID policy in official communications.
