Fauci's lawyers launch legal defense fund as federal, state investigations mount against him

Lawyers representing Dr. Anthony Fauci have created a legal defense fund for the infectious disease expert as investigations against him continue to mount.

Fauci, who helped lead the country through the pandemic, has been accused by Republicans of misleading the public about the origins of COVID-19 and faces multiple federal and state investigations.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has called on the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute Fauci after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment numerous times during a high-profile July congressional hearing.

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The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Paul, held him in contempt of Congress after the hearing.

Fauci has denied all the accusations made against him.

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"The Anthony S. Fauci M.D. Legal Defense Fund was established to help cover the legal representation and associated administrative costs for Dr. Fauci," the defense fund's website says. 

"Your contributions directly support these defense efforts and ensure comprehensive legal support during ongoing inquiries and proceedings."

Fauci retired in 2022 after leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years.

He also advised seven presidents, including President Donald Trump during Trump's first term as a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

During his time navigating the country through the pandemic, he was a proponent of wearing masks, social distancing, vaccines and lockdown measures.

Former President Joe Biden issued Fauci a preemptive pardon before he left office.

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"Fauci is facing an unprecedented legal ​barrage for a retired civil servant, and he deserves a robust defense against these unfounded and frivolous actions," David Schertler, a lawyer for Fauci, told Reuters. 

"Dr. Fauci has not ​done anything wrong, and we are prepared to fight back against this shameful harassment of an honorable man who dedicated his career to saving lives."

His lawyers added that any funds remaining after all of his investigations conclude will be donated to charity.

Prior to his retirement, Fauci was the highest-paid federal employee, making nearly $500,000 each year, Fox News Digital previously reported. In retirement, Fauci collects a federal pension that rivals a presidential salary, OpenTheBooks CEO Adam Andrzejewski estimated.

Fauci and his wife reported a combined $12.6 million net worth in 2021.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the legal defense fund and Paul's office for comment.

On Tuesday, David Morens, a former Fauci advisor, pleaded guilty to attempting to conceal pandemic-related documents by evading public records laws.

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Florida Attorney General James ⁠Uthmeier has said he will investigate whether Fauci "personally profited off the COVID 'guidance' he issued" during the pandemic and has issued a subpoena to the 85-year-old.

Louisiana and West Virginia are backing Florida's effort.

Fox News Digital's Joe Schoffstall and Reuters contributed to this report.