Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Highland park (Cory Morse | MLive file photo)

LANSING -- A Highland Park lawyer has filed petition language for a recall campaign against state Sen. Bert Johnson, who was indicted Tuesday on federal charges of conspiracy and theft of government money.

Johnson, D-Highland Park, is accused of borrowing thousands in cash from an unnamed co-conspirator and placing the individual on public payroll as a member of his staff, according to court documents. The individual did not contribute any work to Johnson's office, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

The recall petition language was filed Wednesday by attorney Robert Davis, according to Fred Woodhams, a spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

"On April 11, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted state Sen. Bert Johnson for allegedly hiring a 'ghost employee' that received compensation from the state of Michigan for work she did not perform," the petition language reads.

The indictment came after federal agents searched Johnson's home and office in March.

Investigators allege Johnson's "ghost employee" was on payroll to pay off the personal loan, and the co-conspirator was paid more than $23,000 in taxpayer money between March 2014 and January 2015.

If convicted, Johnson could face a up to 10 years in prison.

The Michigan Board of Canvassers will review the petition language for clarity and factuality within 10-20 days, Woodhams said.

If approved, Davis could have 180 days to gather signatures to force a vote to oust Johnson from office. A recall vote would require 14,474 constituent signatures, representing 25 percent of the total number of votes in Johnson's November 2014 election.

Petition signatures can't be collected more than 60 days apart to be valid.

A message seeking comment was left with Johnson's office.

Johnson's district includes parts of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Harper Woods.