Transmitted: November 4, 2021
To: Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services
FULL REQUESTS: HHS FOIA Request
Re: Records Regarding Security Detail Provided to Anthony Fauci
SUMMARY
Empower Oversight submitted a FOIA request to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the use of HHS’ limited inspector general resources to provide security for Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Last year, in April 2020, the OIG indicated that its agents would provide security for Dr. Fauci. Later, in June, OIG announced that its agents would be conducting an investigation into the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) oversight of grants to fund research outside of the United States. One of these grants was connected to the now-infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Empower Oversight is requesting records—dating back to April 2020—relating to the security detail, including the work assignments of six individuals and cost information and budget justifications for the use of the OIG agents as security. Additionally, Empower Oversight requests any communications regarding the moving of agents from casework to Dr. Fauci’s protective detail.
The public deserves a full explanation of how the OIG is allocating its very limited resources. How can the OIG provide security for Dr. Fauci while also investigating the awarding of grants overseas, including the awarding of grants funding research at the Wuhan Institute?
If you have first-hand information you’d like to disclose to assist Empower Oversight with these inquiries, please contact us confidentially here.