Councillor charged with seven offences including pretending to be a barrister

A councillor at Guildford Borough Council has been charged with seven offences, including one count of wilfully pretending to be a barrister contrary to the Legal Services Act 2007.

Monika Juneja, 35 from Guildford, was also charged with two offences contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, three offences contrary to the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, and one count of pecuniary advantage contrary to the Theft Act 1968 when she returned to Guildford Police Station this week.

Simon Drew, a lawyer with the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit, said: “The CPS has authorised Surrey Police to charge Ms Monika Juneja with seven offences, including forgery, fraud by false representation, obtaining monetary advantage by deception and wilfully pretending to be a barrister.
 
"It is alleged that Ms Juneja constructed false letters from the University of Greenwich and the BPP Law School outlining qualifications that she did not hold.
 
“It is also alleged that she pretended to be a barrister – acquiring legal roles at various councils – and that she provided recruitment agencies with untrue or misleading information about her CV, as well as supplying false qualifications to secure employment with Bromley Council.”

The alleged offences took place on dates between July 2000 and May 2014. Juneja will appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 2 September.
 
Drew added: “The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.
 
“Criminal proceedings have now commenced and Ms Juneja has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

A spokeswoman for Guildford BC said: “The Leader of the Council decides membership of the Executive and appointment of Lead Councillors. Cllr Juneja remains as Lead Councillor for Planning until such time as Cllr Stephen Mansbridge announces any changes to his Executive team.

“The Council continues to conduct its business as usual. Pending the outcome of any trial, and until the case is concluded, we can make no further comment on the case.”