Public Records Officer at NIH Involved in FOIA Scandal

A public records officer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who is not widely known, has found herself in the middle of a growing scandal involving Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Unfolding of the Scandal

The story began to unravel when subpoenaed emails of David Morens, a former top advisor to Anthony Fauci, showed that he had been taught how to manipulate the system to prevent his emails from being captured by FOIA requests. Morens, in an email dated Feb 24, 2021, wrote about learning from the NIH's FOIA officer how to make his emails disappear before a search begins after a FOIA request. He also mentioned deleting most of his earlier emails after forwarding them to his Gmail account.

Implication of Margaret Moore

Morens pointed the finger at Margaret Moore, informally known as "The FOIA lady," accusing her of aiding him in hiding information from the American public, specifically regarding the origins of Covid-19, which is a serious crime. This prompted an investigation by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic to uncover what Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) described as a "cover-up."

Alleged Conspiracy at the Highest Levels

In a letter to NIH director Monica Bertagnolli in May, it was suggested that there might be a conspiracy at the highest levels of these previously trusted public health institutions. Wenstrup stated that if the allegations in these documents were true, it would be a direct assault on public trust, necessitating swift enforcement and consequences for those involved.

Subpoena for Moore

Wenstrup announced a subpoena to compel Moore, "The FOIA lady," to appear for a deposition on October 4, 2024. He stated that she had repeatedly resisted these efforts and hindered the Select Subcommittee's investigation. Wenstrup expressed his shock at Moore's alleged scheme to assist NIH officials in deleting COVID-19 records and using their personal emails to avoid FOIA.

Moore Pleads the Fifth

However, Moore, through her lawyers, has indicated that she would invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Her lawyers explained to Wenstrup that she had cooperated with the Select Subcommittee to find an alternative to sitting for an interview. They also clarified that Morens' emails suggesting Moore gave tips on avoiding FOIA were misleading, as Morens stated under oath that his comments were a joke and Moore did not advise him on how to avoid FOIA.

Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability

Regardless, Moore's decision to plead the Fifth has only heightened concerns about the transparency and accountability of one of the nation's leading health research institutions.

Bottom Line

This scandal surrounding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) raises significant questions about transparency and accountability within our public health institutions. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think it's important to hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to public trust? Share your thoughts with your friends and join us for the Daily Briefing at 6pm every day.