by James Lyons-Weiler, PhD, Popular Rationalism, ©2025
(Sep. 16, 2025) — Poul Thorsen, a Danish physician and researcher prominently involved in vaccine‑autism epidemiology, was indicted in 2011 in the U.S. for allegedly misappropriating more than $1 million in CDC grant funds. For over a decade he was a fugitive who face, name and charges were openly displayed on the US OIG Most wanted. Breitbart News has reported Thorsen was arrested in June under INTERPOL red notice.
This POPULAR RATIONALISM BULLETIN article reconstructs Thorsen’s academic contributions, the criticisms of his methodological work, the legal findings, and the implications for public policy and scientific trust. It places legal culpability in the context of scientific reliability/implications for other Danish studies, identifies where those studies he co‑authored have been called out for design weaknesses or uncorrected biases, and outlines what must be done to restore clarity.
1. Introduction
- The vaccine/autism controversy has a long history of high public concern, scientific counter‑studies, and legal/ethical controversies.
- Poul Thorsen is central to a Danish network of studies that have often been cited in arguments rejecting causal links between vaccines (especially thimerosal, or MMR) and autism.
- In April 2011, Thorsen was indicted in the U.S. for fraud and money laundering tied to CDC grants. He has been considered a fugitive.
- In 2025, Breitbart reported that he was arrested in Germany. As of this morning, there has been no independent confirmation from Delaware DOJ or U.S. HHS/OIG.
2. Poul Thorsen: Biography & Legal Timeline
~1990s–early 2000s
Poul Thorsen works at or with Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Denmark, contributing to registry-based epidemiological studies on autism and vaccine safety.
2002
Co-authored Madsen et al. NEJM cohort paper on MMR and autism. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa021134. Published in New England Journal of Medicine.
2003
Co-authored Pediatrics ecological paper on thimerosal and autism incidence in Denmark. DOI: 10.1542/peds.112.3.604. Published in Pediatrics.
2010
Media reports emerge describing investigations into Thorsen’s financial dealings and alleged misuse of CDC grant funds. Originally reported by Disability Scoop and other outlets.
April 13, 2011
U.S. federal grand jury indicts Poul Thorsen on 22 counts of wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleges that the scheme diverted more than $1 million in CDC funds. DOJ press release.
2011–2025
Thorsen remains a fugitive. Listed by HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) as wanted. His scientific contributions, particularly regarding vaccine safety, remain controversial and questioned.
September 2025
Breitbart reports that Thorsen was arrested in Germany under an INTERPOL red notice; extradition efforts are ongoing. As of publication, no DOJ or HHS source has confirmed this arrest independently.
Timeline links
·NEJM 2002 paper: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa021134
Pediatrics 2003 paper: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/112/3/604/28678/Thimerosal-and-the-Occurrence-of-Autism-Negative
Disability Scoop (2010): https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/03/12/thorsen/7307/
DOJ Indictment Press Release (2011): https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/gan/press/2011/04-13-11.html
HHS OIG Most Wanted Fugitive (Thorsen): https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/fugitives/poul-thorsen/
Breitbart (2025): https://www.breitbart.com/health/2025/09/15/exclusive-autism-and-vaccine-scientist-arrested/
Science Magazine archive on Thorsen: https://www.science.org/content/article/amid-fraud-allegations-researchers-say-vaccine-science-solid
Forbes reporting: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2015/04/27/the-autism-vaccine-myth-continues-to-spread-even-though-it-has-been-thoroughly-debunked/
Read the rest here.