8 NIU employees accused in scheme put on paid leave

Officials at Northern Illinois University have put eight employees on paid administrative leave because they’ve been accused in an alleged scheme to sell the school’s scrap materials and put the cash in a private bank account.

The DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office filed felony charges last week against the eight workers and a former NIU employee.

In a statement Monday, NIU says the employees will get their regular salaries while university police continue their investigation.

Prosecutors contend employees working at a campus physical plant sold scrap metal, including some from campus building renovations. Authorities say the money was put into an account dubbed the “coffee fund” and the cash was used for social events, including retirement parties.