Secret Back Channels, Avoiding FOIAs and Deleting Emails to Evade Transparency
Dr. David Morens Complies with Subpoena and Appears Before Senate Select Subcommittee
Dr. David Morens Finally Appears in Front of Select Subcommittee
Dr. David Morens is an NIAID Senior Scientific Advisor and was the top advisor to Dr. Anthony Fauci during the pandemic. Whistleblower allegations revealed evidence that Dr. Morens intentionally used his personal email to hide conversations about the origins of COVID-19 and subvert federal transparency laws.
I had previously written about the Select Subcommittee sending a subpoena, compelling Dr. Morens appearance at a public hearing on May 22, 2024 before the Select Subcommittee.
The full hearing can be viewed here:
Here are a few highlights from Morens testimony
Morens contended, “We get training on emails all the time and in that training we are told that it’s a policy to try to separate them (personal and business emails).” But he can’t seem to understand how deleting emails was a violation of federal government policy. Violation of this policy carries with it potential punishment of imprisonment and/or a fine. He then says he learned only a year ago that there was a fusion of Gmail and official NIH email on his phone and he didn’t use his Gmail consciously. Morens brazenly agreed that he violated the federal government policy.
He learned how to make emails disappear after a FOIA request but before the search starts. He actually said that telling someone not to use this email because it can be FOIA’d isn’t intentionally avoiding FOIA. He says he can’t remember the emails when Ms. Lesko literally just read the to him.
This man is not the sharpest knife in the drawer and he’s running one of the worlds leading research institutions as a scientific advisor. Why on earth would you discuss evading FOIA request and deleting of emails by writing this in an email that can then later be produced by a FOIA request?! The hubris of these government officials is off the charts.
Morens boldly wrote in email that he deleted all emails he had between him and Daszak and others related to the origins of SARS-CoV-2. He even wrote in 2020 that “we are all smart enough to know to never have smoking guns in emails and if we found them we’d delete them.” Greene asked who is FOIA lady was, was it Hilary Clinton? (Appreciate the humor here)
He then told the committee that he knows its impossible to avoid a FOIA and impossible to destroy an NIH email document. He talks out of both sides of his mouth but contends he was referring only to personal things that were not government business.
Dr. Morens revealed that he has a direct connection with Daszak as they have been long time friends. Therefore, Morens is at the nexus between Fauci and Daszak and directly connects Fauci’s inner circle to research being performed at the WIV. Morens had emailed Daszak after his grant funding was suspended in 2021 telling him “do not worry, behind the scenes NIH is sticking up for EcoHealth.” He then proceeded to send internal NIH communications to Daszak. Morens was blurring the lines between his personal relationship and government business. He clearly had a serious conflict of interest with regards to EcoHealth Alliance grant funding. Rep. Joyce asked if Morens thought that was nefarious and Morens agreed that it was concerning.
This man should be embarrassed and ashamed by his lies and behavior. He has a lot to answer for. The committee asked for an apology but there needs to be greater repercussions for Morens actions. There are most certainly systems in place to avoid transparency at NIAID.
All of this points to concealing information at a time when the pandemic was at its peak and when there was still an opportunity to get information from Wuhan. Not only did Daszak leverage his relationship with Morens but Morens aided and allowed Daszak to maintain his funding without having to produce data requested by Congress from WIV. Morens brazenly asked Daszak about a kickback. When asked about this, Morens replied that he said that as a joke only no one is laughing.
Makes one wonder what they were discussing that they began using back channels and private email accounts instead of official government communication channels.
Quote of the day, “I don’t even know what our ethics office does.” Morens
This is starting to smack of the old boys club where they (Fauci, Morens and Daszak) pushed things too far and got caught and are now trying to cover up their deplorable behavior that may just have killed over 7 million innocent people.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to testify on Monday June 3, 2024. That should be a very interesting hearing. Be prepared for political posturing by committee members.
https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.29-Letter-to-Fauci-Re.-Gmail.pdf
Source: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/a-hearing-with-dr-anthony-fauci/
I was astounded to find this man state he didn’t understand the meaning of words such as conflate nor did he trust the security of the agency’s servers. The corruption and deceitful conduct is just another example of those awful times.