A former New York City health official, Dr. Jay Varma, has been dismissed from his role at SIGA Technologies after controversial comments regarding attending drug-fueled sex parties during the COVID-19 pandemic were revealed. The fallout comes on the heels of a hidden-camera recording that surfaced online, leading to significant public backlash.
Firing from SIGA Technologies
Dr. Varma, who previously served as the executive vice president and chief medical officer at the pharmaceutical company, was let go after podcaster Steven Crowder shared footage of him discussing his experiences during the pandemic. The video prompted widespread outrage given Varma’s prominent role in managing New York City’s COVID-19 response.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
BREAKING: Former NYC Covid Czar Held Secret Drug-Fueled Sex Parties During Global Pandemic; Says New Yorkers Would Have Been “Pissed” If They Found Out Because He Was Running Entire Covid Response For City
Dr. Jay Varma, Former Senior Advisor for Public Health, NYC Mayor’s… pic.twitter.com/YrgniDUdFc
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) September 19, 2024
A History of Public Service
From April 2020 to May 2021, Varma acted as a senior public health adviser to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, frequently appearing at press briefings to discuss the city’s pandemic measures. His contributions included promoting mask-wearing, regular testing, and advocating for vaccinations to combat the virus.
Controversial Remarks Caught on Camera
In the leaked video, Varma was heard boasting to an unnamed woman about attending underground sex parties during the city’s lockdown. He described these events as being filled with drugs, specifically mentioning MDMA, and acknowledged that they were not “COVID-friendly.”
“I was running the entire Covid response in the city,” Varma stated, reflecting on his high-stress role and how he coped by engaging in these parties. He even mentioned renting a hotel to host gatherings with friends and laughed off concerns about the consequences if his actions were made public.
Acknowledgment of Poor Judgment
In a statement following his termination, Varma took responsibility for his actions, admitting he did not exercise sound judgment during that time. He confirmed the authenticity of the video but emphasized that the conversations were private and had been “secretly recorded, spliced, diced, and taken out of context.”
While Varma chose not to comment further on his firing, his statements reflect an understanding of the serious implications his actions had on public trust during a critical time in New York City’s pandemic response.
The revelations about Dr. Varma serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by public officials during the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic and the potential consequences of their private lives becoming public knowledge.