The Maine Ethics Commission has ruled that a Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives and his campaign treasurer violated state election law when the treasurer spent money on the candidate's behalf through an outside group.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ The commission on Monday held off on assessing penalties pending further investigation.

The commission met in a special session Monday after the Maine Democratic Party filed a complaint alleging illegal coordination between the campaign for Mike Nadeau of Fort Kent and an outside group that spent nearly $1,500 on his behalf. Nadeau's campaign treasurer, Philip Soucy, is also treasurer for that group, Citizens for Effective Government.

The Bangor Daily News reported that Soucy denied any coordination.

Nadeau is challenging Democratic Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake for an Aroostook County seat.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)