Three GOP Attorneys General Subpoena Fauci Over Allegations He Profited From COVID Guidance
Dr. Anthony Fauci has been subpoenaed by three Republican state attorneys general who are investigating whether the former federal health official personally profited from public health guidance he promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in demanding records from Fauci covering January 2020 through August 2026. The investigation is focused on whether Fauci pursued financial or professional opportunities connected to his prominent role directing the federal pandemic response.
Uthmeier said government officials have certain protections for actions performed as part of their official duties, but argued those protections may not apply if Fauci personally profited from guidance he issued. The Florida attorney general said investigators are examining awards, book deals, professorships, board positions, private foundation partnerships and other opportunities offered to Fauci while he remained a federal official.
The investigation follows Sen. Rand Paul’s release of Fauci’s personal diaries, which were written between 2019 and 2022 and preserved on government computers at the Department of Health and Human Services. Republicans say the records raise new questions about Fauci’s private activities and communications during the pandemic.
Among the issues drawing scrutiny is Fauci’s receipt of the Dan David Prize, which was worth nearly $1 million. According to records cited by investigators, Fauci communicated with colleagues about the award before ultimately receiving it in 2021. Uthmeier said his investigation is specifically examining potential “self-dealing” surrounding awards and other financial opportunities.
The subpoenas extend well beyond Fauci’s finances. Investigators are also seeking documents and communications involving COVID vaccine effectiveness and boosters, natural immunity, potential adverse events including myocarditis, government messaging strategies and communications with vaccine manufacturers.
The new state investigations come as Fauci faces growing scrutiny in Washington. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Thursday to hold him in contempt after he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during questioning about pandemic policies, federal research funding and other issues.
Fauci received a sweeping federal pardon from President Joe Biden before Biden left office, covering potential federal offenses dating from January 2014 through January 2025. The state subpoenas, however, represent separate investigations by state attorneys general examining whether any conduct involving Fauci potentially violated their respective state laws.
Fauci’s attorney had not responded to the New York Post’s request for comment on the subpoenas at the time of publication. The investigations now add another front to the continuing effort by Republican officials to examine Fauci’s conduct during the pandemic and determine whether his government position overlapped with personal financial opportunities.