# Poul Thorsen CDC grant fraud case

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/poul-thorsen-cdc-grant-fraud-case
> Updated: 2026-09-01T17:50:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Danish researcher Poul Thorsen, who had been an international fugitive for nearly 14 years, was extradited from Europe to the United States. He was held in federal custody in Georgia following his arrival in May.

Thorsen has now pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud. He admitted to a scheme that diverted more than $1 million in grant money from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The funds were originally intended for research into the links between vaccines and developmental factors such as autism, cerebral palsy, and birth defects. 

Prosecutors alleged that Thorsen used forged signatures on fraudulent invoices to divert funds into personal accounts to support his lifestyle. Thorsen, who was associated with Aarhus University, faces potential prison time and is required to pay full restitution to the CDC.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: Poul Thorsen pleads guilty to stealing $1M in CDC research funds

Danish researcher Poul Thorsen pleaded guilty to stealing over $1 million in CDC grant money intended for autism and disability research after fleeing justice for 14 years.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poul-thorsen-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-1m-in-cdc-research-funds

### 2026-08-25: Poul Thorsen to plead guilty in CDC grant fraud case

Danish researcher Poul Thorsen is expected to plead guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly stealing over $1 million in CDC grant money intended for public health research.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poul-thorsen-to-plead-guilty-in-cdc-grant-fraud-case

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Cite as: Poul Thorsen CDC grant fraud case. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/poul-thorsen-cdc-grant-fraud-case