New Documents Highlight NIH Adviser’s Controversial Handling of Emails and FOIA Requests

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a series of documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by The Black Vault. These documents, which consist of emails sent to and from Dr. David Morens, a senior scientific adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), have been at the center of a growing controversy.

The original request sought emails which contain the words  “FOIA” and “Freedom of Information”.

The controversy revolves around allegations that Dr. Morens used his personal email account to evade FOIA requests and potentially deleted critical federal records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic suggest that Dr. Morens advised his colleagues to use personal emails and delete messages to protect themselves and Dr. Anthony Fauci from public scrutiny. These actions have raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the NIH.

The emails show Dr. Morens expressing concern over the volume of emails that could be scrutinized under FOIA, indicating the potential for thousands of documents to be reviewed. His discussions include suggestions to streamline the process, such as forwarding emails to a central source or hiring additional help to manage the overwhelming task of compliance. This illustrates the challenges faced by NIH officials in balancing transparency with the demands of the pandemic.

In addition to these logistical concerns, the emails also highlight Dr. Morens’ apparent relief when certain FOIA requests were closed, suggesting a desire to avoid further scrutiny.

The documents reveal his strategic approach to handling information requests, which could be seen as an attempt to shield himself and his colleagues from external examination. W

For those interested in examining the documents in detail, the full release is provided below.

Document Archive

NIH FOIA Case 61804 [335 Pages, 52MB]

 

 

 

 

 

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