Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an investigation into alleged misconduct by Dr. David Morens, Senior Advisor to the Director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The letter outlines emails obtained by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic that provide evidence suggesting Dr. Morens violated federal law by concealing and destroying records related to the origins of COVID-19. The emails also indicate that Dr. Morens used his personal email address to evade Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Additionally, Senator Paul's letter details newly revealed emails indicating that the NIH FOIA office may have assisted Dr. Morens in unlawfully destroying records and evading public oversight.

"Emails obtained by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic provide significant evidence that Dr. Morens unlawfully destroyed federal records relating to the origins of COVID-19 and improperly used his personal email address to evade federal records laws," wrote Senator Paul in his letter.

In one example cited in the letter, Dr. Morens allegedly stated: "[a]s you know, I try to always communicate on gmail because my NIH email is FOIA’d constantly." He further admitted using his NIH email account temporarily due to a security breach with his personal account but assured he would delete any sensitive information: "[d]on’t worry, just send to any of my addresses and I will delete anything I don’t want to see in the New York Times."

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. In an email exchange with Peter Daszak, Dr. Morens wrote: "I learned from our NIH FOIA lady here how to make emails disappear after I am FOIA but before the search starts so I think we’re all safe."

Senator Paul emphasized that these actions potentially violate 18 U.S.C §2071, which penalizes individuals who "willfully and unlawfully" conceal, remove or destroy federal records with fines and imprisonment for up to three years.

"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," urged Senator Paul.

The senator requested specific information from Attorney General Garland's office by June 4, 2024:

1. Has an investigation been opened into these allegations?

2. If so, what is its current status?

3. If not, why not?

4. Has there been any referral related to these allegations from relevant federal entities?

Senator Paul's request underscores concerns over transparency and accountability within federal agencies regarding critical public health information.