 A Bemidji City Council candidate and a campaign contributor have each been fined $1,000 for campaign finance violations. The issue boiled down to four individuals who paid $7,200 to Pinnacle Marketing Group to create the Bemidji First website and YouTube video for Mayoral candidate Joe Venne and City Council candidates Don Honinen and Mike Beard. The individuals who made the contribution were Dean Thompson and Mary Ann Thompson who are husband and wife and Steve Hill and Jill Hill who are also husband and wife. The financial reports for each candidate listed $600 in kind contributions from each of the four individuals. Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings ruled the Hills and Thompson's acted as a committee not as individuals. Joe Venne who was defeated in his bid for mayor was fined $750 for not submitting an initial report within 14 days after receiving a campaign contribution of more than $750. Venne was also fined $250 for not having a proper disclaimer listing the name and address of the committee which provided the funding for the Bemidji First YouTube video and website which Venne was included on. Thompson was also fined for dispersing more than $750 and not submitting a report within 14 days. Thompson was fined $250 for locking the disclaimer on the YouTube video and website. Previously we reported Don Honinen was fined $500 for accepting a campaign contribution in excess of $600 in related to this. Honinen was also defeated in his election bid. Now Michael Beard did win a seat on the City Council. A similar decision on a similar complaint filed against him has not been made public at this time. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.