Former Fauci aide pleads guilty to conspiring to dodge FOIA over COVID-era funding emails

David Morens, a longtime aide to Anthony Fauci, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade federal public records laws related to emails about coronavirus research funding. He admitted coordinating with outside researchers and using a personal Gmail account to hide exchanges to dodge FOIA requests and influence NIH funding for EcoHealth Alliance. Fauci is named in records as the Senior NIAID Official 1 but is not charged. Morens faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing set for November 12 as part of a plea deal that dropped four other charges.