Former NIAID adviser David Morens indicted on federal charges tied to COVID-era records

Tuesday, April 28, 2026Rights & JusticeWell-covered4 frames

David Morens, a former senior adviser at NIAID and adviser to Anthony Fauci, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland.
The indictment alleges Morens conspired to conceal federal records and evade public disclosure or records-request processes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors allege Morens used a personal email account for official communications in order to keep some records outside Freedom of Information Act requests and other federal recordkeeping requirements.
The charges against Morens include conspiracy, records destruction or falsification-related counts, and concealment of records.
The allegations concern communications and records tied to COVID-19 research grants and debates over the origins of the coronavirus outbreak.
The indictment does not accuse Morens or other American scientists or health officials of being involved in causing the pandemic, and Fauci is not charged in this case.
Court proceedings have begun: the indictment was unsealed this week, Morens made an initial appearance before a magistrate judge, and he is scheduled to be arraigned next week.

David Morens, a former senior adviser at NIAID and adviser to Anthony Fauci, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland.
The indictment alleges Morens conspired to conceal federal records and evade public disclosure or records-request processes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors allege Morens used a personal email account for official communications in order to keep some records outside Freedom of Information Act requests and other federal recordkeeping requirements.
The charges against Morens include conspiracy, records destruction or falsification-related counts, and concealment of records.
The allegations concern communications and records tied to COVID-19 research grants and debates over the origins of the coronavirus outbreak.
The indictment does not accuse Morens or other American scientists or health officials of being involved in causing the pandemic, and Fauci is not charged in this case.
Court proceedings have begun: the indictment was unsealed this week, Morens made an initial appearance before a magistrate judge, and he is scheduled to be arraigned next week.