The University of Alabama is denying that it is under federal investigation for possible ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).
Annie Mapp from ABC3340 reported on Twitter, “The University of Alabama is under investigation by the federal government for improper ties to China.”
#NEW: The University of Alabama is under investigation by the federal government for improper ties to China.
— Annie Mapp (@AnnieMapp_) December 23, 2020
More information at the provided link.https://t.co/XH2vTUDjw3
WIV, which is owned by the Chinese government’s Academy of Sciences, includes a maximum biocontainment laboratory that may be closely linked to the origin and/or spread of the Chinese COVID-19 virus. UA President Stuart Bell received the investigation notice from the federal government, asking for “a full report of statutorily defined gifts, contracts, and/or restricted and conditional gifts or contracts from or with a foreign source to the U.S. Department of Education (Department).”
The letter stated, “It appears that UA has failed to report an alleged partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (“WIV”), in Wuhan, China.” The university is listed on the Wuhan Institute of Virology website as a “partner”.
The University responded to Mapp. She posted a Twitter update stating, “#UPDATE: The University of Alabama sent me the following statement.”
#UPDATE: The University of Alabama sent me the following statement @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/pPnLHJznxJ
— Annie Mapp (@AnnieMapp_) December 23, 2020
The school is denying any connections to the WIV, and stated that they contacted the institute and asked that UA be removed from their website. The school never received a response to that request.
