Former school district manager appears in court
JANESVILLE -- The former Janesville School District information technology manager suspected of organizing a scheme to profit from district purchases is expected to appear in Rock County Court in January for a preliminary hearing.
Brandon M. Keirns, 31, Milwaukee, is accused of buying $215,000 worth of computer software from companies he or his friend owned.
Keirns is accused of transferring money the school district paid the companies into his personal bank account and using some money to buy a condo.
He is charged with two felony counts of being a public employee entering into a contract with private interests. State statutes prohibit public employees from arranging contracts for their employer that benefit themselves.
Keirns appeared in Rock County Court on Wednesday for an initial appearance. He appeared in court in a gray suit and tie with his attorney, Trish Arreazola.
Keirns remains free on a signature bond.
His next scheduled court appearance is Jan. 12.
Keirns, who was hired in December 2007, resigned in November 2008 after a computer virus crippled school district computers for weeks.
If convicted, Keirns faces a maximum of three years and six months in prison and a $10,000 fine for each charge.
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:51 a.m.
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:20 a.m.
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yada yada yada///Hey BOBB - want to make sure u know I was kidding. :-)
Nov 18, 2009 at 10:54 p.m.
Nov 18, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
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yada, that's funny.
Nov 18, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.
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Hey BOBB1951 - I hear you were asking for me by name. I heard you yelling YADA at least three times! Please don't mention my name since I was not involved in the case. :-)
Nov 18, 2009 at 9:18 p.m.
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you rip the school district off for 215 thousand and he is out of jail on a signature bond. what a joke! sounds to me, there is more to this scam than their letting people know. another plea bargin in the making, for sure.
Nov 18, 2009 at 8:41 p.m.
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I'd like to know,will he be made to sell his condo since it was purchased with district money?
Nov 18, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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Why wasn't he arrested, someone asks. The answer is that he turned himself in. If someone shows up at the police department by voluntary arrangement, are they supposed to say "Go home, we need to send out a squad car so that you can be arrested, because if we don't, somebody on the Gazette comments boards will be sorely disappointed." ...? Talk about wastes of taxpayer dollars and patrol time.
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ljs64, it does often seem like yelling down a well to insert facts back into a discussion.
Nov 18, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.
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keithrg13 - Good one!
Nov 18, 2009 at 4:12 p.m.
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"Keirns remains free on a signature bond"
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No money was ever handed over by anyone.
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No punishment has been handed down either.
Nov 18, 2009 at 4:12 p.m.
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It's nice to know it was gray instead of navy. . . . (?)
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
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He has been CHARGED with two felony counts of being a public employee entering into a contract with private interests.
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He was ARRESTED, then CHARGED, then made his INITAL APPEARANCE and is now waiting for a PRELIMINARY HEARING. If there is enough evidence the judge may order a TRIAL. Once the TRIAL is complete a FINDING OF FACTS will be made. He will be found either GUILTY or NOT GULTY or reach a PLEA AGREEMENT with the Prosecuting Atty.
That is how the system works.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
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It would have been far more interesting if he had presented with sandals, khakis, a Hawaiian shirt, fingers full of diamond rings, and a dozen gold chains around his neck. And, when the judge asked, “How do you plead Mr. Keirns?” The perp says, “Just call me The Dude your honor.”
The honorable governmental authority (school system) hired this (alleged) jerk - in the depths of this great recession no less - and I can’t buy a job in Janesville now for years; I just want to scream.
Bob Keith
- humble and obedient citizen -
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:39 p.m.
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On slow news days they should just say "Hey it's a slow news day any stories out there?" I think we could come up with something better.
Just a thought.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
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I'm still amazed he wasn't even arrested. Who else ever gets charged with a felony and not arrested. Amazing.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
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His next suit might be one of black and white stripes.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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I agree with you ljs64. Must of been a slow news day.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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He wanted to show off the suit & tie that we may have paid for.
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.
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"He appeared in court in a gray suit and tie..."
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Who cares what he was wearing? What relevance does that have with anything relating to this case?
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