Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, that his office is joining Louisiana and West Virginia in issuing a subpoena to Dr. Anthony Fauci. The subpoena initiates an official investigation into awards, professional opportunities, financial incentives, grants, and COVID-19 guidance that allegedly impacted Florida businesses and consumers.

Uthmeier, alongside West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, claims that Fauci may have personally profited from the guidance he issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. “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 said.

The investigation follows renewed scrutiny from some lawmakers on Capitol Hill over Fauci’s handling of the pandemic. Uthmeier criticized Fauci’s diary, stating it focused more on self-promotion than legitimate safety concerns related to mRNA vaccines. He asserted, “While Fauci was pushing for book deals, awards, and fortune and fame, Floridians were being deceived and harmed by his misrepresentations.”

According to Uthmeier, Fauci’s diary entries detail substantial awards, including grants, book deals, and board positions linked to his public recommendations as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases that affected Florida.

Last week, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a contentious Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to avoid answering questions from Republicans about the pandemic response. Prior to leaving office in January 2025, President Joe Biden issued a pre-emptive pardon for Fauci.

Sources