Top Villages Daily Sun brass will be deposed this week in the case of a longtime employee accused of theft.
Daily Sun Publisher Phil Markward, Associate Publisher James Sprung and Finance Director Cynthia Bailey are among those to be deposed Wednesday afternoon at Kerr & Associates court reporting in Tavares. More than 20 Daily Sun staffers are scheduled to be deposed in the case, including members of the newspaper’s Information Technology Department. Some of the depositions will take place on March 5 and 20.
A warrant was issued in August for longtime Daily Sun employee Grace Mimm, 43, of Belleview, after it was discovered that she had used her administrator access to the company’s Circulation Department computer system to boost her commission by using a “Best Deal in Town” code, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. Mimm was taken into custody on the warrant on Aug. 17 in Levy County. She had been terminated from the Daily Sun.
Mimm has steadfastly maintained her innocence and has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Mimm had been given a verbal warning by Sprung in January 2017 after it was discovered she had manipulated the system for her financial benefit, according to the arrest report. Mimm was a customer service supervisor and part of her commission came from signing up new customers. In June, another Daily Sun supervisor alerted Sprung that Mimm had again begun manipulating the system.
Sprung told police that during the month of May, Mimm altered 34 accounts earning her $244.80 in fraudulent commissions. In June, she altered 37 accounts earning her $266.40 in fraudulent commissions, according to the arrest affidavit.
Mimm’s attorney later met with Sprung, but was told he could not review the documentation on behalf of his client.
Mimm is facing a felony charge of grand theft. She remains free on bond.
A trial has been set for April 9.
