MITCHELL, Neb. -- Mitchell Mayor Paul Murrell was arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from a state audit. 

In a September 16 letter to the Mitchell City Council President Sean Hopkins, Deputy Auditor Craig Kubicek, Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts, said the “Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) has received allegations regarding: 1) personal use of municipal equipment and resources by the City of Mitchell’s (City) Mayor, Paul Murrell; 2) potentially questionable and excessive payments of public funds to the City Mayor and his business, “The Handyman”; and 3) certain questionable expenditures involving the Mitchell Care Center (Center).” 

Murrell is facing charges of Theft by Taking (Value of More than $1,500 but Less than $5,000 (Class IV Felony), Theft by Taking (Class II Misdemeanor), Misuse of Public Property (Class III Misdemeanor), Hindering Audit of Public Accounts (Class II Misdemeanor) and Official Misconduct (Class II Misdemeanor). 

In its letter to the City of Mitchell, the State Auditor’s Office received concerns that the mayor might have used municipal equipment, employees and other resources for his personal use. 

Bond was set at $20,000/ 10 percent. 

Arraignment is set for 10 a.m. January 9 in Scotts Bluff County Court.