Virus Whistle-Blower Says Trump Administration Steered Contracts to Cronies – The New York Times

Both allies and Dr. Bright say his almost four-year tenure as the head of BARDA was marked by clashes with his superiors– specifically Dr. Robert Kadlec, the assistant secretary of health for readiness and response– and tension with some market executives. In a declaration, Mr. Clerici said he”unquestionably” rejected any misbehavior, including:”It’s sad that throughout a pandemic, Dr. Bright and his team have selected to distract individuals like Dr. Kadlec, who are crucial to the reaction, with politically motivated allegations. On Jan. 23, he met with Mr. Azar and Dr. Kadlec to press”for urgent access to funding, personnel and clinical specimens, including viruses,”that would be necessary to establish treatments, the problem said.

Both allies and Dr. Bright say his nearly four-year period as the head of BARDA was marked by clashes with his superiors– specifically Dr. Robert Kadlec, the assistant secretary of health for preparedness and reaction– and stress with some industry executives. “Dr. Bright was transferred to N.I.H. to work on diagnostics screening– vital to combating Covid-19– where he has actually been delegated to invest up of $1 billion to advance that effort,” she said in an emailed declaration. Dr. Bright was at first offered a narrower role at the National Institutes of Health to work on a new”Shark Tank”-style program to develop coronavirus treatments, however Ms. Katz informed press reporters he “has no function” and did not receive his last income. In a statement, Mr. Clerici stated he”unequivocally” denied any misbehavior, adding:”It’s sad that throughout a pandemic, Dr. Bright and his team have chosen to sidetrack people like Dr. Kadlec, who are vital to the response, with politically encouraged allegations. On Jan. 23, he fulfilled with Mr. Azar and Dr. Kadlec to push”for urgent access to financing, personnel and medical specimens, including infections,”that would be necessary to develop treatments, the grievance said.

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