OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – The superintendent of Grand Haven Area Public Schools offered condolences to the family of former school administrator Brian Keith Wheeler who died at the Ottawa County Jail.
Wheeler, 56, of Muskegon, pleaded guilty earlier this week to embezzlement over $100,000 and using a computer to commit a crime.
He was accused of stealing $900,000 from the school district over the course of years. He was jailed awaiting sentencing next month in Ottawa County Circuit Court when he died Thursday, Jan. 28.
Related: Ex-school administrator identified as inmate found dead in Ottawa County Jail
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Wheeler’s family, who have been through so much over the past few months,” Superintendent Scott Grimes said in a statement.
“They are first in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time. The entire situation has been distressing for the GHAPS (Grand Haven Area Public Schools) community.”
State police, at the request of Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, are investigating the death.
A state police lieutenant on Friday declined to comment on the investigation.
Related: Former West Michigan school administrator took more than $900,000 from district, police allege
Wheeler was found unresponsive around 8 p.m. Sheriff’s deputy, medical staff and Life EMS paramedics were unable to revive him.
Police have not said how he died.
Wheeler was an assistant superintendent. He was fired on Nov. 22, 2021 and arrested the next day in Muskegon.
Grand Haven police investigated “irregularities in financial transactions” that led to criminal charges.
The investigation showed that he created false invoices for a fictitious company, Infinity Electric, for about $7,000 each time. He received checks from the accounts payable department by saying he would personally deliver the funds.
Investigators said he took over $900,000 since 2014.
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