Florida
Florida AG Launches Civil Probe into Anthony Fauci Over COVID Guidance and Financial Gain
In response to release by Republican U.S. senators of a diary attributed to former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is subpoenaing the former President Joe Biden adviser. This is…
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Key points
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued subpoenas to former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci regarding potential personal financial gains tied to pandemic guidance.
- State investigators are seeking records on book deals, research grants, corporate communications, and awards dating back to January 2020.
- The probe examines whether personal profiting during official health decision-making violated Florida consumer protection or trade laws.
NewsWK — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a civil investigation into former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, issuing subpoenas to examine whether the former official personally profited from pandemic guidance that impacted families and small businesses across the state.
According to a report first published by Florida Phoenix, the state probe was initiated following the release of a diary attributed to Fauci by Republican U.S. senators. Investigators are reviewing whether financial incentives, professional opportunities, book deals, and research grants coincided with federal health recommendations issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subpoenas Target Financial Records and Corporate Communications
The Attorney General’s office is seeking records dating from Jan. 3, 2020, to the present. State investigators requested documents detailing awards Fauci applied for or received, efforts to secure personal financial gain, communications with vaccine manufacturers, and interactions with Florida news outlets and businesses regarding pandemic protocols.
While government employees generally receive immunity for official actions, state legal officials are assessing whether personal commercial endeavors violated Florida laws governing deceptive trade practices, fraud, or public nuisance.
“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,” Uthmeier stated in a release quoted by Florida Phoenix. “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.”
Federal Oversight and State Legal Support
The state investigation follows a recent U.S. Senate committee hearing in which Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment constitutional right against self-incrimination. Before departing office, former President Joe Biden granted Fauci a preemptive pardon anticipating political and legal scrutiny.
Attorneys general from Louisiana and West Virginia have voiced support for Florida’s inquiry into whether federal health recommendations caused deceptive trade or economic harm to state consumers and commercial entities.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Jay Waagmeester originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.