(CN) — A Pennsylvania state senator and an official from the state's Democratic Party are accused of being involved in a vote-buying scheme related to a 2011 election for Philadelphia's Eighth Ward.
Lawrence "Larry" Farnese, 47, and Ellen Chapman, 62, were indicted Tuesday on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and violations of the Travel Act, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Farnese is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania Senate, and Chapman is a member of the Eighth Ward Democratic Committee.
Farnese won the 2011 election for Democratic ward leader of Philadelphia's Eighth Ward.
Prosecutors allege Farnese and Chapman made a deal, in which the senator paid $6,000 for Chapman's daughter to attend a college study-abroad program in exchange for her help getting him elected.
Chapman originally planned to support another candidate, according to the Justice Department.
Farnese's $6,000 payment was allegedly made using campaign funds. He is accused of trying to cover up the payment by calling it a "donation" in a finance report.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported last month that the FBI had questioned a number of people about the 2011 election.
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