SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) -- Johnson County's district attorney says the Shawnee City Council violated the spirit of the state open meetings law when the council made "deals" to elect the mayor's uncle to a council seat.

District Attorney Stephen Howe said Wednesday that it's difficult to determine if the council broke the letter of the law, but it's clear they broke the spirit of the law. He's recommending that the council receive training on the state's open meeting laws.

The problem began last May, when several people applied to fill a vacated council seat. But Howe says evidence shows that Mayor Jeff Meyers talked to at least half of the eight council members about appointing his uncle to the seat.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/12bNwIl ) that Meyers didn't return calls seeking comment.