The Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday found that former Birmingham Mayor William Bell violated state ethics law.

The commission said there's evidence to show that Bell committed a minor violation of the ethics law. The body recommended the case be handled administratively and referred it to the Jefferson County District Attorney Office.

The ethics commission hasn't disclosed the nature of the complaint or what evidence the body reviewed.

Alabama Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton stated in an email to AL.com that he could not comment on the ethics violation.

Bell's attorney Joe Espy said the complaint was in relation to a meeting Bell held with staff at city hall in September during his bid for re-election as mayor.

"Mayor Bell completely cooperated with the ethics commission and the ethics commission staff," Espy said. "It was a very minor technical matter related to that complaint made during the campaign about that meeting.

"It was resolved administratively. It is concluded," he said.

Espy said the matter was forwarded to the district attorney who is expected to sign off on the resolution of the case. He said the case will then will go back to the ethics commission, which may issue a fine.

Birmingham activist Iva Williams filed the ethics complaint against Bell over a mayoral campaign-related meeting at city hall where Bell warned employees they could be out of a job if he wasn't re-elected.

Williams accused Bell of using his office for personal gain. He also claimed the mayor violated state law by using his official position for political activities and by using city facilities for political activities.

An audio recording of the meeting was released to members of the media in September.

In the mandatory meeting held in the City Council Chambers on Aug. 28, 2017, Bell told staff that they couldn't campaign during work hours. He asked staff to tell residents of the progress being made in the city and "magnify" his voice in the community.

"The political survival of my administration is at stake," Bell said on the recording. "And if you think that is just about William Bell, no it is about everyone in this room. It is about each of us in this room. Because I guarantee you while some may survive, the vast majority of you will not. OK. I'm not trying to put fear I'm just trying to tell you the realities of the situation."

Bell doesn't explicitly ask staff members to campaign for him during the meeting.

"Now, what do I need from you? It is improper for you to campaign during working hours," he said. "I am not asking you to do that, but what I am asking you to do when you are at work - do your job professionally. Reach out to citizens. Whatever they need try to meet them as immediately as possible. Don't get into any arguments with people but try to satisfy whatever their needs are. That's the best thing you can do to help me while you are on duty."

Bell tells staff members to be professional to residents. He also asks them to "tell the true story" of his leadership and the progress going on in the city.

April Odom, who at the time was spokesperson for the mayor's office, told AL.com in September that the meeting wasn't a "campaign meeting." She said it was a meeting to "address the widespread information that was being put out.

"After the election we were inundated with requests from staff on how they could help," she stated in an email from September. "We had a staff meeting where the mayor clearly outlined what was acceptable and not acceptable."

Bell lost his bid for re-election to Randall Woodfin.