Five of the employees returned to work last Wednesday, another returned on Monday. According to university spokesman Paul Palian, NIU's Office of the General Counsel has reviewed the records, university policies and reports related to the employees who were placed on paid administrative leave during the police investigation of the coffee fund case.
Based on this review, the General Counsel's office has advised and recommended that six return to work immediately and resume their duties on behalf of the university. As of Jan. 7, all six had returned to work. -Paul Palian
Palian tells WNIJ that five of the employees are in non-supervisory positions within Materials Management. The university announced the administrative leaves in October.
Palian says due to the separate pending legal proceedings, the university cannot comment further.
Two additional employees charged in the case remain on paid administrative leave.
