Dr. David Morens sent the email to a group including a scientist who funneled money to a laboratory in China.
A top deputy to Dr. Anthony Fauci indicated in a newly uncovered email that he purposefully did not keep records that he knew would be sought by the public and congressional investigators.
“I have retained very few emails or documents on these matters, and continue to request that correspondence on sensitive issues be sent to me at my gmail address,” Dr. David Morens, the deputy, wrote in the June 17, 2021, missive.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) obtained the email and included it in a letter to Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Dr. Morens wrote to colleagues after senators, including Mr. Johnson, wrote to then-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins asking for documents on how the NIH handled the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in a city that features a laboratory that ran risky tests with funds from the NIH.
“Based on this email, it appears that Dr. Morens may have intentionally deleted or destroyed records relating to the origins of COVID-19 given his admission that he has ‘retained very few emails or documents on these matters,” Mr. Johnson told Mr. Becerra. “Further, Dr. Morens’ stated preference to receive correspondence on ‘sensitive issues’ through Gmail shows an apparent evasion of federal record keeping requirements and a complete disregard for transparency.”
The Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the NIH, has repeatedly failed to hand over records that Mr. Johnson has requested, the senator noted. Dr. Morens’ apparent actions “may have directly obstructed my oversight efforts,” he wrote.
Mr. Johnson asked for all the records he has asked for as well as an outline of how federal officials will hold Dr. Morens accountable.
Mr. Becerra’s agency did not respond to a request for comment.
Dr. Morens has not responded to inquiries.
By Zachary Stieber
