Judicial Watch announced it has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for records of Fauci, top officials, contractors, and grantees related to attempts to subvert information requests about COVID-19 issues.
The complaint centers on records from Dr. David Morens, former senior scientific advisor to retired NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Anthony Fauci himself. Judicial Watch seeks information on alleged attempts by Morens and Fauci to circumvent FOIA regulations through private emails and other means. The lawsuit also requests communications involving NIH FOIA employees about withholding information on EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The suit follows revelations from a May 22, 2024, House Select Subcommittee hearing, where Morens was accused of unlawfully deleting federal COVID-19 records and sharing confidential information with EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak. The subcommittee's evidence suggested that Morens evaded transparency by using personal email accounts and obstructed investigations to protect Fauci.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton criticized the handling of FOIA requests during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the lawsuit a step toward uncovering attempts by HHS bureaucrats to evade public scrutiny. The outcome of this legal action could reveal more about the alleged efforts to suppress information related to COVID-19 and its origins.
