(1996)

Dear Mr. O'Donnell:

You have requested our opinion whether (1) a false statement on a financial disclosure form filed pursuant to the Public Ethics Law could potentially result in a perjury prosecution under Article 27, § 435 of the Maryland Code; and (2) whether financial disclosure statements must be notarized.

Our opinion is as follows:

1. Although the oath on the financial disclosure form omits any reference to "penalties of perjury," this omission does not preclude a perjury prosecution under Article 27, § 435. Nevertheless, so that the form correctly reflects this possibility and does not…