By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – The former senior adviser Dr David Morens to infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci, who led the US fight against Coronavirus on Wednesday has admitted to obfuscating the origins of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the US government before a US court in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Dr Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the US government before a US court in Greenbelt, Maryland.
US District Judge Paula Xinis is scheduled to announce the sentence for the Fauci advisor on November 12.
Under US law, defrauded the US government is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Defence attorney Tim Belevetz said in a statement issued after the plea hearing, “By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, and he will continue to do so.”
According to the US Justice Department, Dr Morens used his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He is also accused of concealing and destroying records related to the COVID-19 research grants.
The development follows an investigation by the US House of Representatives into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a congressional hearing, Fauci defended his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and invoked the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.
He also declined to appear voluntarily before a second Senate panel.
