Rick Bright, Former Top Vaccine Scientist, Files Whistleblower Complaint

Richard Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, is seen here in 2018.

Toya Sarno Jordan / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Updated at 7:03 p.m. ET

The federal scientist who was ousted last month as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

Rick Bright was a high-ranking federal scientist focused on vaccine development and a deputy assistant secretary with the Department of Health and Human Services. On April 20, Bright said, he was transferred to a “less impactful position” at the National Institutes of Health after he was reluctant to promote the use of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients.