Democratic Rep. Jose Miranda, 34, and Michelle Wilson, 28, are charged with perjury, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled February 4.
Prosecutors allege that he funneled a public salary to his sister through a ghost worker because state ethics rules barred her from being on the payroll.
A grand jury said Wilson received part of the $36,000 annual salary paid to Timothy Duckett.
He held the title of legislative assistant but apparently never showed up at district offices, working instead at an auto repair shop.
Miranda and Wilson denied any impropriety to the grand jury.
