A senior official at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reportedly admitted to a covert operation within the agency to "steal and back up" federal vaccine data. Steven Putansu, an Assistant Director and 16-year veteran of the GAO, was captured on hidden camera by O’Keefe Media Group discussing efforts to preserve data allegedly slated for deletion by an incoming Health and Human Services (HHS) led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This revelation raises potential concerns regarding federal statutes including unauthorized removal of public records, theft of government property, and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).
Putansu explicitly stated, > "We've stolen & backed those things up so that someday they can come back to government." He further expressed apprehension about a "vaccine denying HHS who's going to ruin health care in this country even more than it already is," according to the O'Keefe Media Group's report. This action was reportedly taken to "limit the amount of permanent damage" and ensure "research he’s trying to delete is stored outside his control."
Federal records management policies, overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the GAO, mandate specific procedures for the retention and disposition of government data. Agencies are required to preserve federal records as evidence of government activities and informational value, with strict guidelines for their removal or destruction. Unauthorized handling of such records can lead to serious legal consequences under various federal laws.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a prominent figure in the vaccine skepticism movement, consistently promoting theories about vaccine safety and efficacy that are widely debunked by the scientific and medical community. His public statements have frequently criticized public health institutions and pharmaceutical companies, leading to concerns among public health experts about his potential influence on federal health policy. The prospect of him leading HHS has been met with significant opposition from medical professionals.
O'Keefe Media Group, founded by James O'Keefe, is known for its investigative journalism, frequently employing hidden cameras and undercover tactics to expose alleged wrongdoing. The organization often targets government agencies, corporations, and political figures, typically from a conservative perspective. Their methods have drawn both praise for promoting transparency and criticism regarding journalistic ethics and the potential for misleading presentations.