NIU VP takes leave of absence amid investigation

CHICAGO (AP) — A top Northern Illinois University official has taken a leave of absence days after an FBI search of the campus police station.

A Friday statement from NIU says that chief of operations and executive vice president of finance and facilities, Eddie Williams, is taking the measure "in light of" the raid.

NIU President John Peters says Williams will go "until resolution of the investigation to avoid any appearance of conflict or any question concerning the university's response."

There's no official word about the specific target of the FBI search.

The action came weeks after a former NIU police officer was indicted on sexual assault charges and the police chief was fired.

In October, several NIU employees were indicted in an alleged scheme to sell university-owned scrap metal off the books.