City attorney and deputies defend termination of IT employee over CJIS access during commission hearing

The City Service Commission on April 8 heard testimony about the December 2024 separation of Antoine Young from the Office of the City Attorney, focused on whether Young could lawfully continue as the office’s IT administrator given requirements of the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security policy.

City Attorney Evan Goike told the commission he felt compelled to place Young on administrative leave and later separate him because the office could not truthfully certify compliance with a CJIS audit. “I could not check yes because that would be a lie,” Goike said, explaining the office faced a near-term audit deadline and that the Milwaukee Police Department’s prior denial of clearance in 2022 left the office unable to represent that staffers with CJIS access had passed required background checks.

The hearing considered three types of evidence: testimony from deputy and HR witnesses about how the office supervised Young and learned of his background; the CJIS security policy and audit questionnaire; and internal options City Hall explored, including reassigning IT work or seeking a second IT position. Commissioners questioned…