MADISON -- The Lac qui Parle county recorder was sentenced Friday on a gross misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property after vandalizing the county courthouse in February.
Janine Louise Bornhorst, 45, of Madison received a sentence of 365 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for the third-degree criminal damage to property charge. Bornhorst was originally charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor count of theft. The felony count was amended and the theft count was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Judge David L. Mennis stayed $600 of the fine and all of the jail time for two years as part of a conditional probation. Restitution for damages to the courthouse totaling $408.49 was also added to Bornhorst's sentence. Bornhorst also faces a number of conditions in connection with her probation. She must attend anger management and counseling, and may not have any contact with the county commissioner or auditor unless it's work related.
A criminal complaint filed in August states that on Feb. 5, Bornhorst vandalized areas inside the courthouse in Madison.
According to the complaint, Madison Police Chief Stan Ross found a desk had been scratched in a swirling pattern, Lac qui Parle County auditor Stanton Bjorgan's name plate was missing and the first three letters of a four-letter profanity were scratched into the door frame of the auditor's office
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The vandalism allegedly occurred after a Feb. 3 meeting during which several county officials met to discuss a discrepancy regarding the account balance in the county recorder's office.
Several witnesses told authorities they saw Bornhorst at the courthouse. She later admitted to being there but said she didn't remember if she had committed the vandalism or not.
