LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s attorney general says the University of Nebraska violated the state’s open meetings law when it held private meetings as part of its search for a new president.

Attorney General Doug Peterson concluded the University of Nebraska violated the open meetings act when it held a series of private committee sessions leading to the disclosure of four finalists.

However, Peterson also said in a letter dated Wednesday that the university’s selection of Hank Bounds as president was settled and a criminal prosecution or civil lawsuit wasn’t warranted.

Peterson’s letter was in response to a complaint filed by journalist Deena Winter of Nebraska Watchdog.

University spokeswoman Melissa Lee says officials didn’t intend to violate the law and were pleased the president’s selection was valid.