MARYLAND — A former senior adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has been indicted on charges he conspired to conceal federal records and evade public disclosure laws during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal prosecutors.

David M. Morens, 78, faces charges including conspiracy against the United States, falsification of records and concealment of federal documents. Prosecutors allege Morens used a personal email account to conduct official business to avoid Freedom of Information Act requests and exchanged non-public information tied to coronavirus research grants.

The indictment also alleges Morens accepted gifts in exchange for official acts related to promoting the theory that COVID-19 had natural origins and helping restore a terminated research grant involving the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

If convicted, Morens faces up to 20 years in prison on some counts. The FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

An indictment contains allegations, and Morens is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.