Attorney General James Uthmeier Subpoenas Dr. Anthony Fauci over Potential Self-Dealing During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Teams Up with West Virginia AG McCuskey and Louisiana AG[...]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier issued an investigative subpoena to Dr. Anthony Fauci as part of an official investigation into awards, professional opportunities, financial incentives, grants, and COVID-19 guidance that impacted Florida businesses and consumers.

"Government officials have a certain level of immunity in their official capacities, but if Fauci personally profited off of the 'guidance' he issued, that very well could have broken Florida law," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Fauci's diary focused more on self-promotion than the legitimate safety concerns from the mRNA vaccines. While Fauci was pushing for book deals, awards, and fortune and fame, Floridians were being deceived and harmed by his misrepresentations."

"Dr. Fauci's recent refusal to answer Congress's questions about his actions during the pandemic is concerning," said West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey. "The American people deserve to know if they or their elected leaders were misled or manipulated. Both my Office and I support Attorney General Uthmeier's efforts to uncover the truth."

"The public deserves answers to about a million questions related to the pandemic, its origins, and the government's actions in response," said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. "What we know already is Fauci lied-we just don't know yet how much. But he lied about something as basic as keeping a diary. The truth will come out."

The subpoena is informed by the recent public release of diary entries attributed to Fauci by U.S. Senator Rand Paul. Those entries detail substantial awards including an approximately $900,000 Dan David Foundation prize, a NIAID research grant to the University of Florida Scripps Biomedical Research program, offers of named professorships and book deals, board positions, private foundation partnerships, and other professional and financial opportunities concurrent with his federal role and public recommendations impacting Florida.

The subpoena commands the production of documents from January 3, 2020, through the present by August 31, 2026.

Key categories of documents sought include:

• Awards applied for, considered, or received from any organization, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations in Florida, related to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' research grant in 2022 to the University of Florida Scripps Biomedical Research program to address COVID-19;
• The approximately $900,000 award received from the Dan David Foundation in 2021, including the application, reasons for the award, and related communications;
• Professional opportunities offered, pursued, or considered, including named professorships, book deals and memoir contracts (including with Penguin Random House), literary agents, board positions, and related negotiations and communications;
• Efforts seeking financial incentives for himself, including discussions with private foundations, offers to develop funds for legal bills, support for additional appropriations, and similar matters;
• Interactions and communications with Florida businesses, media outlets, and communities regarding COVID-19 vaccine sites, social distancing, mask requirements, school and business closures, vaccine safety and efficacy, and related responses;
• Documents concerning vaccine efficacy and boosters, natural immunity, potential adverse events including myocarditis risks, messaging strategies, and communications with vaccine manufacturers.

This action reinforces Attorney General Uthmeier's commitment to transparency and accountability regarding activities that may have influenced the health, safety, and economic well-being of Floridians.

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