Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass’ full-tuition scholarship to a graduate program is being used as “critical” evidence in a separate federal probe into fraud and bribery, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Bass, a Democratic California congresswoman, was admitted in 2011 on a full-ride worth over $95,000 to the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Social Work, the LA Times reported in November 2021. Now, prosecutors say Bass’ scholarship and USC dealings are “critical” to a probe involving former Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and former USC Social Work Dean Marilyn Louise Flynn, who were indicted in October 2021 on fraud and bribery charges, the outlet reported Wednesday.

The California Democrat has not been accused of wrongdoing, according to the LA Times.

Bass reportedly did not apply for the scholarship and Flynn personally chose to hand her it, the LA Times reported. Flynn admitted Bass with the hope that the congresswoman would aid in passing legislation, prosecutors alleged in court filings, the LA Times reported.