OIG/FBI Inquiry - NIAID 1-R01AI110964-01 - 2-R01AI110964-06

Hi Ashley – I’d be happy to speak with you over the phone to tell you the story – an atypical one. I could ask Melanie to find a time for us to talk next week. Another option – and feel free to ignore – would be to speak this Sunday; I’d be happy to do that. After we review the story, I can then send you relevant materials. OGC (mainly Anna Jacobs) has been engaged and it might be appropriate to include her as well at some point. Many thanks, Mike Michael S Lauer, MD NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research 1 Center Drive, Building 1, Room 144 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: Email: @nih.gov Note: This conversation is restricted, so you might not be able to cut or copy from it. See the information above the To line for more details. Also, while the conversation is restricted, the conversation owner can send the message to other people.

Good afternoon Dr. Lauer, We are following-up on an ongoing case related to the above-captioned grant with NIAID awarded to Ecohealth Alliance. OIG has now joined FBI on a broader-scope investigation and have asked for clarity on the closure/termination of this grant. Since this is a sensitive matter, they are concerned that any action or communication from NIH could affect their investigation and they requested internal-coordination to ensure confidentiality and to maintain the integrity of the case. The questions are highlighted below in the original email to NIAID. I looked through RMARS and did not see anything related to this company or PI that would suggest OER has been active with this case; however, Ms. Linde noted any inquiry was to be directed to you. I hate to send such trivial questions to your attention, but since this is a time-sensitive request, I want to make sure we get the most accurate information from the best source. Please let me know the best method for getting these questions answered. Thank you, Ashley Ashley M. Sanders, MPS Supervisor, DPI Program Investigations NIH, OMA, Division Program Integrity 6011 Executive Blvd. Rockville, Maryland 20852 Office: Cell: @nih.gov From: Linde, Emily (NIH/NIAID) [E] @mail.nih.gov> Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:26 PM To: Sanders, Ashley (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov> Cc: Shannon, Mike (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov>; Kearse, Deborah (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov> Subject: RE: Grant Questions - FBI Inquiry - 1-R01AI110964-01 - 2-R01AI110964-06 Hi Ashley, Questions for that nature on this award should be referred to Dr. Mike Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research. Thanks, Emily From: Sanders, Ashley (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov> Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:15 PM To: Linde, Emily (NIH/NIAID) [E] @mail.nih.gov> Cc: Shannon, Mike (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov>; Kearse, Deborah (NIH/OD) [E] @nih.gov> Subject: RE: Grant Questions - FBI Inquiry - 1-R01AI110964-01 - 2-R01AI110964-06 Importance: High Good afternoon Emily, I’m following-up on this inquiry – originally the questions circled around the scientific terms of the grant and Erik Stemmy provided the context to the FBI. In a recent discussion with HHS OIG and the FBI, they noted they received information that the below-grant with Ecohealth Alliance was “suspended” or “terminated”. I’ve reviewed QVR and do not see an indication of that action other than the attached “Closeout of Award” email stating the end of the grant was 4/24/20 with a request for the FFR and FRPPR. Was this just a typical end of term closeout, or was it terminated early? If terminated/suspended, the OIG has the following questions: 1. What information did NIH/NIAID receive, and from whom, that noted a concern for continuing to fund this research? 2. What was the reasoning for NIAID ending the grant and/or collaboration with Ecohealth Alliance? 3. What was communicated to the PI (Dr. Daszak) and/or Ecohealth? Please let me know if you’re able to provide this information. Thank you, Ashley Ashley M. Sanders, MPS Supervisor, DPI Program Investigations NIH, OMA, Division Program Integrity 6011 Executive Blvd. Rockville, Maryland 20852 Office: Cell: @nih.gov