Dr. Jay Varma, the former health adviser of New York City, has been terminated from his position after confessing to attending parties and using illegal drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. SIGA Technologies, a healthcare company focused on developing medicines for infectious diseases, announced on September 23 that Varma was fired by the board of directors, effective immediately. The company cited reasons “other than for cause” in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Varma, who served as the executive vice president and chief medical officer of SIGA Technologies, was captured in an undercover video admitting to participating in drug and sex parties while overseeing the city’s COVID-19 response. Despite requests for further details, SIGA Technologies did not provide additional information, and Varma could not be reached for comment.
In the video, Varma revealed that he attended illicit gatherings in hotel rooms while holding a high-ranking position in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration. He also took credit for implementing the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which restricted unvaccinated individuals from various activities in the city.
Following his departure from the government role, Varma acknowledged attending a non-COVID-friendly dance party with around 200 people under a bank on Wall Street. He expressed regret for not exercising better judgment and admitted to participating in private gatherings during his government tenure.
Varma defended his actions by emphasizing that his decisions were based on science and aimed at saving lives during a historic public health crisis. He reiterated his support for COVID-19 vaccination efforts and denounced attempts to undermine public confidence in vaccines.
New York City Councilman Robert Holden praised Varma’s dismissal as a step towards accountability for his actions. Holden criticized Varma for his involvement in coercive tactics related to the vaccine mandate and participation in illegal activities, calling out the hypocrisy of his behavior.
Holden, along with other City Council members, called for an investigation into Varma’s conduct and advocated for the reinstatement of workers terminated for vaccine noncompliance. The council members urged the city to drop cases against employees who refused the COVID-19 vaccine and restore those who lost their jobs due to noncompliance with the mandate. Please provide an alternative version of the text.
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