Keirns leans toward plea agreement

By STEVE BENTON ( Contact ) Tuesday, March 9, 2010

JANESVILLE — A former Janesville computer tech manager may be close to a plea agreement in a fraud case with the Janesville school district.

A preliminary hearing, for 32 year old Brandon Keirns of Milwaukee, was canceled Tuesday in Rock County Court and rescheduled as a plea hearing for March 16th.

Keirns, the former information technology manager for the Janesville school district, is facing two felony counts of being a public employee entering into a contract with private interests.

While working for the district, he's accused of buying $215,000 worth of computer software from companies he or a friend owned. Some of that money allegedly went into a personal account and used to buy a condo.

Keirns' attorney, Trish Arreazola, and prosecuting attorney, Gwanny Tjoa, said both sides are "working toward resolution of the matter." The plea hearing will be held before Judge Richard Werner.

In a separate matter, the school district filed a lawsuit against Keirns last November. The district asked for a lien against the condo to recover money it allegedly lost, and also wants damages and attorney fees.

Keirns remains free on a signature bond pending the outcome of the plea hearing.

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