 A Minnesota Administrative Law Judge has ruled that there is probable cause that a candidate for Bemidji City Council violated a Minnesota statute that prohibits accepting a campaign contribution in excess of $600 from a committee. Bemidji resident Robert Saxon had filed the campaign complaint against Don Hananen on October 24th under the Fair Campaign Practices Act. At issue is a contribution of $2,400 from four individuals who each donated $600. That money was earmarked to pay for the website Bemidji First, which was used in part to promote Hananen's candidacy. Administrative Law Judge Barbara J. Case noted in her ruling that the definition of a committee appears to be broad enough to warrant probable cause. She said as four persons who equally divided the cost of the expenses for establishing a website and social media site to promote Hananen's candidacy, they appear to have acted together to influence election of a candidate. Candidates are prohibited from accepting contributions in excess of the limits from individuals and committees. Now the claim will now proceed to an evidentiary hearing. Case dismissed, one other complaint against Hananen citing lack of sufficient facts and will dismiss another charge if he updates information regarding the employer or occupation of the four contributors. Hananen declined to comment on the judge's ruling today.