The reporting lapses that federal prosecutors in Manhattan noted on his Senate financial disclosure forms might seem to pale in comparison. But they could also suggest an effort to hide his newfound wealth to evade notice by the Senate’s Select Committee on Ethics. “Knowingly and willfully filing a false personal financial disclosure report can result in a civil penalty of up to $50,000,” Brett Kappel, a Washington-based lawyer and expert in campaign finance, lobbying and government ethics, said in an email. “It may also be prosecuted as a violation of the False Statements Act — a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.”The first mention of gold on Mr. Menendez’s financial disclosure report came in March 2022, on a report amended to indicate that in 2020 his wife owned as much as $250,000 in bullion. The alteration made it appear that Ms. Menendez had possessed the gold since before or soon after the couple married in October 2020.

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Persons: Menendez, “, ”, ” Brett Kappel Locations: Egypt, Manhattan, Washington