The former director of the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter, Lisa Junghans, has been bound over for trial and arraignment in Geary County District Court.

She is charged in the alleged theft of money from the Animal Shelter in 2012 and this year.

John Taylor, Assistant Geary County Attorney, explained the allegation in this case. “What we are trying to prove is that there was a significant amount of missing money, undeposited money from the shelter, and we believe we have traced it to the Director having responsibility for that.”  Taylor confirmed the amount of money alleged missing is approximately $40,000 during a time frame between January 1, 2012 to the end of May 2013.

Junghans has been bound over for arraignment November 27 at 9 a.m.  Her attorney John Thurston, Manhattan stated at arraignment his client will plead not guilty, and the matter will probably be set for a jury trial. “As far as the defense is concerned, I think the state might be a little more concerned with how they’re going to prove the case. We frankly didn’t hear any evidence whatsoever that ties my client to the missing funds. And I think that’s going to be a challenge for the prosecutor.”

CPA Kay Schmidt of Pottberg, Gassman, Hoffman works on the annual audit for the county.  She told the court $40,752.50 had not been properly deposited with the county. $491 of that amount was later located during a surprise cash count at the Animal Shelter.

Junghans resigned unexpectedly from the Animal Shelter job July 9,  and was later arrested August 30 on a Geary County District Court warrant charging her with one count of Felony Theft. Her bond was  set at $5,000 at that time, and she bonded out.