A significant development has occurred in the case against Dr. Eithan Haim, the transgender medicine whistleblower. The assistant U.S. attorney leading the prosecution, Tina Ansari, has been removed from the case following the discovery of a potential conflict of interest related to her family's business connections with Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).

Dr. Haim faces charges related to alleged HIPAA violations after leaking documents to the media. These documents purportedly revealed that TCH continued to perform transgender medical procedures on minors despite publicly stating they had ceased such practices. Haim's legal team brought the potential conflict to the DOJ's attention in a November 13 letter, outlining the business ties between Ansari's family's company, Fresh Brew, and the hospitals involved in the case.

Fresh Brew holds commercial coffee and vending contracts with various institutions, including several hospitals in the Houston area, some of which contract with TCH and BCM. While Ansari is listed as a former executive of Fresh Brew, her brother currently leads the company. Haim's lawyers suggest she may retain a financial interest.

Following the notification, the DOJ filed a sealed motion to withdraw Ansari from the case and subsequently filed a motion for a gag order without her signature. A revised indictment was also issued, omitting Ansari as counsel. The court granted the DOJ's motion to withdraw counsel on November 21.

Dr. Haim, a former resident at BCM and employee of TCH, alleges that the hospital continued to perform procedures on minors after publicly announcing their cessation. He claims to have witnessed and been informed of multiple instances of such procedures. The DOJ's initial indictment accused Haim of releasing patient names, a claim his lawyers deny, stating all information was redacted. They also point out that HIPAA allows disclosure to prevent medical misconduct.

Further complicating matters are the revealed connections between Ansari's family and TCH fundraising events. Her brother and other relatives have been sponsors of several TCH fundraisers, raising significant sums for the hospital. One of these relatives, Sima Ladjevardian, is a former political candidate and current Harris Health Board of Trustees member, serving alongside TCH's general counsel.

X Corp and Not The Bee have filed motions to unseal documents in the case, arguing for public access to information regarding the government's prosecution. Haim's legal team contends that the government's actions aim to suppress public discourse on the case and pediatric transgender procedures. Haim himself expressed gratitude for the support he has received and his determination to challenge what he perceives as government overreach against whistleblowers.