After state Rep. Keith Stallworth, D-Detroit, was charged for allegedly using his brother’s name to illegally obtain a driver’s license and voter’s registration, he pleaded innocent Friday to the charges in the 36th District Court in Detroit and the 22nd District Court in Inkster, Mich.

He was released on personal bond of $10,000.

If convicted of the three felonies, Stallworth could lose his position in the Legislature and face up to five years in prison and a $7,000 fine.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Department of the Attorney General, Secretary of State’s Office and Michigan State Police.

The complaint filed in both courts stated Stallworth admitted, in a Dec. 21 interview with the state police, that he applied for a driver’s license and a voter’s registration in his brother, Thomas Stallworth’s name.

The complaint stated that Thomas Stallworth was unaware of his brother’s actions.

The duplicate application for a driver’s license with a change of address was made in the name of Thomas Stallworth in October.

Keith Stallworth was identified as the person making this duplicate application when the duplicate application photograph matched his image and a clerk at the Secretary of State’s Office recognized the photograph as Keith Stallworth.

Stallworth responded in a statement released Friday.

“Simply stated, a favor was done for a family member,” he said. “An application for an operator’s license was made on behalf of a family member for their use.”

House Minority Leader Kwame Kilpatrick, D-Detroit, cautioned against a rush to judgment in a statement released Friday.

“Like every other Michigan citizen, Representative Stallworth deserves to have his day in court,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick, who was not available for additional comment Friday, said he was monitoring the situation.

“Any allegation of this nature would be hard on a family, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Keith and his loved ones.” he said.

Stallworth is not up for re-election in 2002 due to term limits.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.