A Woolwich Township councillor who didn’t disclose election signs and brochures that his family had donated to him won’t have to explain his actions in front of a judge.

Waterloo Region’s Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee – a body made up of former politicians and other citizens – met Thursday to discuss the fate of Coun. Scott Hahn.

By a vote of six to one, they decided not to recommend sending the issue to a prosecutor.

Committee member Robert Williams was in the majority.

In an interview with CTV News, he said that while Hahn “clearly did not follow the rules” and “made some fairly fundamental errors,” he doesn’t expect that a judge would remove Hahn from office – and therefore doesn’t see any reason to put the issue before the courts.

“Everybody realizes there were errors,” he said.

“Other future candidates will know they really must pay attention.”

Two township politicians have gone before judges due to issues with their election campaign expense filings.

In both the case of Mayor Sandy Shantz and the case of Coun. Mark Bauman, judges ruled that removal from office was too harsh of a penalty for the violation that had been committed.

At issue in the Hahn case was $2,800 worth of signs and brochures the first-time candidate used during his campaign, but did not account for on his expense filings.

He has maintained that he didn’t know he needed to declare the donations.

“I received my brochures and signs for free from my family, and I just misunderstood the (Elections Act),” he said after Thursday’s meeting.

“It was a costly mistake that wasted a lot of time and a lot of resources. I won’t make it again.”

Dan Holt was one of the other candidates for Hahn’s seat.

He says he understands that logic in not sending Hahn to court, because the precedents of Shantz and Bauman mean Hahn likely won’t be removed from office – but nonetheless isn’t happy with the situation.

“All of the candidates decided to investigate what the law was and follow that law and file their forms appropriately and correctly, except for Mr. Hahn,” he said.

“Basically, the law is worthless.”