MOUNT VERNON — The seven-member Ohio Elections Commission ruled Thursday former candidate for Mount Vernon School Board Robert Kirk was in violation of Ohio election laws when he accepted corporate campaign contributions but for “good cause” did not recommend a fine or prosecution.

In his complaint filed Dec. 1, 2009, with the OEC, Mount Vernon Assistant Law Director Robert Broeren Jr., claimed Kirk violated election laws by accepting four campaign contributions for a total of $1,250, which were recorded in Kirk’s pre-general election Campaign Finance Report.

When speaking with the News on Wednesday, Kirk stood behind previous statements claiming he would not have accepted contributions had he known they were not permissible.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. It’s been miserable,” Kirk said.

Kirk told the News this morning he was proud to say the system worked when all evidence was presented.