Lawyer’s computer seized from Children’s Court

Vruno, 67, resigned after 30 years at Legal Aid

Authorities this week took computer equipment from the office of a lawyer who provides guardian ad litem services for children at Milwaukee County Children’s Court.

Investigators served the search warrant on the office Michael J. Vruno, the chief staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee’s office at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Wauwatosa, which provides contracted guardian ad litem services to the county.

Vruno, 67, who has worked for Legal Aid for more than 30 years, resigned his position, said Michael Gonring, executive director of the Legal Aid Society.

“We view this as a personnel matter,” Gonring said, adding that Vruno has denied any wrongdoing.

Gonring said Legal Aid is cooperating with the district attorney’s office investigation.

The district attorney’s office said only that it would not confirm or deny investigations.

Vruno did not immediately return phone messages Friday.

Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine White said Friday she had no information, no knowledge and no comment about the search warrant, or the concerns that it could involve a child pornography investigation.

She said she did not expect the seizures to interrupt any guardian ad litem or other services at Children’s Court.

The county pays Legal Aid about $2.2 million annually to provide guardian ad litem services.

The county provides both office space and equipment, including computers, to Legal Aid at Children’s Court as part of the contract.

Guardians ad litem represent the best interests of children involved in parental rights terminations, some custody and placement actions in family court, juvenile guardianships and Children In need of Protection or Services, or CHIPS, actions.