Some changes may be coming to the charges against a former Mineral Springs recorder/treasurer who originally faced multiple charges of theft of property and tampering with public records.
The trial date for Denise Juniel, 59, black female, Mineral Springs, has been delayed for more discovery time to review and possibly amend the criminal affidavit.
Juniel, a former employee in the Mineral Springs Police Department and later with the city water department and the local school district, allegedly used city funds for online gambling.
A recent legislative audit report for the City of Mineral Springs which resulted in felony charges against Juniel was released on Sept. 11.
The audit concerns $263,719 in “questionable transactions” related to the position of recorder/treasurer over a three-year period. The position was held by Juniel during that timeframe.
Juniel resigned on Nov. 5, 2025 before being charged Nov. 17 with felony theft and tampering with a public record. She is set for trial in Howard County on Oct.20.
The audit, for the period Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025, noted “noncompliance with state law and accepted accounting practices” in the offices of mayor and recorder/treasurer with Bobby Tullis listed as mayor.
The audit results included improper credit card transactions in the recorder/treasurer office totaling $190,855 with “improper transactions” totaling $174,309.
They include $92,040 for online gambling; $36,946 for personal purchases ranging from groceries to fuel and online shopping; $25,888 without proper documentation; therefore, the validity of these expenses could not be determined; $7,450 for expenses that appear to be for a legitimate business purpose but lacked supporting documentation; $6,832 for undocumented travel; $2,716 for fuel for personal vehicle; and $2,347 in unallowable expenses.
The audit noted that five credit card statements were altered to reflect differing transactions, amounts purchased and statement recaps.
The audit’s review of “non-payroll” disbursements to Juniel revealed improper payments totaling $55,931, including $19,189 in undocumented travel reimbursements and $10,208 in duplicate reimbursements that were submitted twice for payment or paid from the city funds and also submitted for reimbursement.
The review of “payroll” improper disbursements found a total of $33,479, including $9,300 in loans to Juniel, who was allowed to repay the city through subsequent payroll deductions, in conflict with state law which prohibits cities from loaning their credit to an individual. “Of the total loan amount, $7,300 remain outstanding at Dec. 31, 2025.”
The audit further noted that for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, the city made loans to employees totaling $11,350 with outstanding loans totaling $3,100.
In a test of non-payroll disbursements, the audit revealed that of 25 tested, none were approved; $5,741, including a $250 bonus, was paid to the spouse of the Mayor Pro Tem (Vera Marks) for contract labor without authorization; and $998 was expended for seven pairs of men’s boots with a documented business purpose.
Pretrial motions are now set for Jan. 13, 2027.
