TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened a civil investigation into former federal health official Anthony Fauci, seeking records concerning COVID-19 guidance, grants and potential financial or professional benefits.
Uthmeier’s office issued a subpoena requesting documents dating to January 2020. The inquiry covers awards Fauci sought or received, communications with vaccine manufacturers, interactions with Florida businesses and media outlets, and efforts that may have produced personal financial benefits.
The Republican attorney general said the investigation will examine whether Fauci personally profited from recommendations that affected Florida residents and businesses. His office suggested the conduct could implicate state laws involving fraud, deceptive trade practices or public nuisance, but it has not announced evidence establishing a violation.
The probe follows Republican senators’ release of writings attributed to Fauci from the pandemic period. Fauci recently invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during a contentious Senate hearing led by Sen. Rand Paul, who has repeatedly accused him of misleading Congress. Fauci has denied wrongdoing and characterized the scrutiny as politically motivated.
Former President Joe Biden issued Fauci a preemptive federal pardon covering government service, but that would not necessarily prevent a state civil investigation.
Uthmeier, appointed attorney general by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2025, faces voters for the first time in November. No court has found Fauci liable for misconduct related to Florida’s pandemic response.
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