Who Is Jay Varma? Ex-NYC COVID Czar Fired Over Pandemic Sex-Party Scandal

Dr. Jay Varma, New York City’s former COVID-19 czar, has been fired from his position at SIGA Technologies following revelations of his involvement in drug-fueled sex parties during the pandemic. Dr. Varma, who played a key role in the city’s COVID response under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, gained attention when the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving was banned from playing for refusing the vaccine.

The scandal broke after podcaster Steven Crowder released secretly recorded conversations in which Dr. Varma admitted to attending underground raves and hosting illicit parties while the city was under strict lockdowns. In one clip, Dr. Varma boasted about attending a rave in June 2021 and hosting a party in August 2020 where attendees used MDMA.

On September 23, SIGA Technologies confirmed Dr. Varma’s immediate termination, stating that his service on the company’s board also ended, effective immediately. The company took action after the recordings surfaced, where Dr. Varma candidly discussed his behavior, saying, “I did all this deviant, like sexual stuff,” and expressed no regrets, claiming he was being his “authentic self.”

City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov criticized Dr. Varma’s actions, highlighting the contrast between his behavior and the sacrifices made by New Yorkers during the pandemic. Similarly, Michael Kane of Teachers for Choice expressed disgust at Dr. Varma’s justification for his actions, calling it inappropriate and offensive.

Despite the controversy, a source close to Dr. Varma defended him, arguing that he had not technically violated pandemic mandates. Dr. Varma himself issued a statement acknowledging his poor judgment during two private gatherings between April 2020 and May 2021, but maintained that his comments were taken out of context.

The scandal has sparked widespread backlash, raising questions about leadership and accountability during the pandemic.