Former school technology manager to plea in software scheme

Brandon M. Keirns

JANESVILLE — The former Janesville School District information technology manager suspected of organizing a scheme to profit from district purchases is expected to be in court next week for a plea hearing.

Brandon M. Keirns, 32, Milwaukee, 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 Tuesday. Attorneys on both sides said they were working on a resolution to the case. A plea hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, March 16.

Keirns is accused of buying the district $215,000 worth of computer software from companies he or his friend owned. He is suspected of transferring money the school district paid the companies into his personal bank account and using some money to buy a condo.

Keirns, who was hired in December 2007, resigned in November 2008 after a computer virus crippled school district computers for weeks.

The district has filed a lawsuit against Keirns, accusing him of racketeering and fraud.

The district has asked for a lien against the condo to recover money it lost. It also wants money for damages, attorney fees and the cost of its investigation.

Keirns faces a maximum of three years and six months in prison and a $10,000 fine for each charge.

Keirns remains free on a signature bond.