A three-judge state panel has ordered the reelection campaign of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to pay a $250 penalty for violating state campaign law by claiming an endorsement without written permission.

But the administrative law judges termed the episode a technical violation of state law rather than the serious violation described by Green Party activist Dave Bicking in filing the complaint.

The matter involves the Rybak campaign's listing of Second Ward Council Member Cam Gordon as a supporter earlier this year in its literature and on its website. Gordon, a Green Party member, supported DFLer Rybak informally, but didn't formally endorse him in writing until after the Greens didn't endorse an opponent for Rybak.

Bicking, a Ninth Ward council candidate, argued that this was serious because it misled voters into thinking that Rybak had unanimous council support, discouraging other candidates for mayor. The Rybak campaign admitted it didn't get Gordon's written permission until after Greens didn't endorse, but argued that the violation wasn't serious because Gordon and Rybak informally supported each other. The panel found that Bicking's allegation of effect on voters and candidates was speculative and unproven.

Gordon was dropped as a supporter on the Rybak campaign website after about one month, once his campaign made a request in March, but restored once he gave written permission in May. Rybak's campaign continued to list him in written literature for about three months before he granted the permission.

Bicking said in reaction to the ruling that he welcomes being sustained, but the penalty is too small for deterrent effect.

A campaign spokeswoman for Rybak said he was pleased, as well, because the penalty was far smaller than Bicking sought and because of the finding of lack of impact on voters.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438