A New York City Council member is demanding an investigation into Dr. Jay Varma, the city’s former senior health advisor, after he disclosed that he flouted the COVID-19 guidelines he urged residents to follow.
On Friday, Varma revealed that during the peak of the pandemic, he participated in sex parties and a dance event while advocating for social distancing to curb the spread of the virus. His admission came after a heavily edited video emerged.
Councilman Robert Holden is pushing for an inquiry into Varma’s actions.
While advising New Yorkers to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols, Varma has now confessed to not doing so himself. This acknowledgment followed the release of a hidden video by conservative podcaster Steven Crowder, which captured Varma making the remarks.
According to Varma’s spokesperson, he and his wife hosted two sex parties in a hotel with friends—one in August 2020 and another in November 2020. Additionally, he attended a dance party with approximately 200 attendees beneath a Wall Street bank in June 2021, after leaving his full-time city role to consult.
In the video, Varma also boasted about implementing mandatory vaccination policies that barred Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving from participation due to his vaccine refusal.
Varma responded to the controversy by stating, “Unfortunately, I was targeted by an operative for an extremist right-wing organization determined to malign public health officials and dismantle the public health system in America. This individual has been highly discredited and banned from multiple media platforms for homophobic slurs and racist comments. In the private conversations that were secretly recorded, spliced, and taken out of context, I referred to events from four years ago. While serving in City Hall from April 2020 to May 2021, I attended two private gatherings. I acknowledge I did not exercise the best judgment at that time. In the face of the greatest public health crisis in a century, our main goal was to save lives, and every decision was made based on the best available science to keep New Yorkers safe. I stand by my efforts to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations and reject the extremist agendas that undermine public confidence in vaccines.”
Holden is requesting that state and federal prosecutors get involved in the matter. “The guy has no shame. It’s appalling,” he stated. “This situation is serious and raises questions about what else he may have done or said. We need to know more.” Holden is also advocating for a comprehensive City Council investigation in which Varma would be compelled to testify.