Wenstruip Letter to FBI

Press Release

Dear Director Wray,

According to recent reports, a Chinese company called Prestige Biotech, Inc. (Prestige)
was operating a dangerous and unlicensed laboratory in Fresno County, California. These reports
indicate that the laboratory was conducting potentially dangerous experiments.1
It is highly concerning that an unlicensed lab operated by a Chinese company on American soil was
apparently conducting dangerous research involving COVID-19 and other viruses.

We are committed to investigating the origin of COVID-19, but also assessing the federal
government's ability to keep America safe from biological threats. This assessment is critical to
bolstering our ability to prepare for and prevent future pandemics. Further, it is clear from court
documents that the Bureau is involved in this matter. Therefore, we request documents and
communications relevant to our inquiry and in the custody and control of the Bureau.

On March 10, 2023, the City of Reedley, California (City) applied for a search warrant to
investigate a property that believed to be an illegal and unlicensed laboratory.2 The City stated,
"[i]t appears that the owners and/or occupants of the Property may also be using various
dangerous chemicals and/or materials in their unpermitted laboratory activities in the locked
portion of the structure that may pose serious health and safety risks."3

On March 16, 2023, various City and Bureau officials executed a search warrant and
found "several hundred mice that…have been genetically modified to catch and carry the
COVID-19 virus."4 The mice were being kept in dangerous and unsafe conditions.5 The City

1 Daniel Gligich, Secret biological lab uncovered in Reedley containing bioengineered COVID-19 mice, THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SUN (July 27, 2023) available at https://sjvsun.com/news/fresno/secret-biological-lab-uncoveredin-reedley-containing-bioengineered-covid-19-mice/.
2 Application for Inspection Warrant and Order Authorizing Entry onto the Property to Inspect Public Nuisance, 23CECG00912, Superior Court of California, County of Fresno (May 10, 2023).
3 Id.
4 Application for Abatement Warrant and Order Authorizing Entry onto Property to Abate Public Nuisance, 23CECG00912, Superior Court of California, County of Fresno (May 29, 2023).
5 Id.

The Honorable Christopher Wray
August 23, 2023
Page 2

stated, "[t]he tenant has been unable to provide evidence of any state or federal licenses or
certifications that would permit the breeding and experimentation being conducted on these
mice."6

Between May 2 and 4, 2023, staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
(CDC) Division of Select Agents and Toxins inspected the lab and determined at least 20
potentially infectious agents were stored under inadequate conditions. This included Chlamydia
trachomatis, E. coli, Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and 2 (HIV), Malaria, and Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, known as COVID-19).7 According to
documents, a purported representative of Prestige provided false statements and claimed there
were no infectious agents stored at the laboratory.8

To assist us in investigating not only what occurred in this case but also in developing
policies to help prevent future pandemics, we request the following documents and information
as soon as possible but no later than September 6, 2023:

1. All documents and communications, between or among employes or contractors of
the Bureau regarding Prestige Biotech, Inc. or Universal Meditech, Inc.

2. All documents and communications between or among the Bureau and other federal,
state, or local government entities, including but not limited to the Department of
Health and Human Services, the California Department of Public Health, the
California Department of Toxic Substance Control, the Office of the Governor of
California, Fresno County, or the City of Reedley, regarding Prestige Biotech, Inc. or
Universal Meditech, Inc.

In addition to the requested documents, the Select Subcommittee may request employees
of the Department participate in voluntary transcribed interviews.

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is authorized to investigate "the
origins of the Coronavirus pandemic" and "the implementation or effectiveness of any Federal
law or regulation applied, enacted, or under consideration to address the coronavirus pandemic
and prepare for future pandemics."9 To that end, the Select Subcommittee is tasked to learn from
the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend alterations where necessary to
enhance our preparedness and responses in the future. To ask any follow-up or related questions
please contact Committee staff at (202) 225-5074.

6 Id.
7 Fresno County Department of Public Health's Application for Abatement Warrant, 23CECG00912, Superior Court of California, County of Fresno (June 15, 2023).
8 Id.
9 H. Res. 5 § 4(a) (2023).

The Honorable Christopher Wray
August 23, 2023
Page 3

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.

Sincerely,

Source