Sentencing scheduled for November; charge carries five-year maximum
The federal case against Morens grew out of his tenure at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where he served as a senior adviser to Fauci, an infectious disease expert. The Justice Department alleges that during that time, Morens concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant. Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the institute.
On Tuesday, Morens pleaded guilty in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, to a single felony count of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Defense attorney Tim Belevetz said in a statement after the plea hearing: “By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, and he will continue to do so.”
The records at the center of the case concern discussions about COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant.