State lawmaker charged with paying ghost employee

DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker has been charged with putting a no-show employee on his office payroll to repay $14,000 in personal loans.

Democratic Sen. Bert Johnson was indicted Tuesday on charges of conspiracy and theft.

The indictment says the person was listed by Johnson as a "community liaison" but was actually a ghost employee who had lent money to the lawmaker. The grand jury says that person was paid $23,000 for no work.

Messages seeking comment were left for Johnson and his lawyer. The FBI recently searched Johnson's Lansing office and Highland Park home.

Johnson has said he's an "open book" and has "worked very hard" to build a good reputation