Multiple arrests have been made in regard to the coffee fund investigation.

Robert Albanese, Susan Zahm, Lawrence Murray, Kenneth Pugh, Mark Beaird and Joseph Alberti were arrested; Michael Hall, Keenon Darlinger and Keith Jackson have not been, according to NIU Police Sgt. Alan Smith.

With the exception of Albanese, all are current NIU employees. However, “the employment status of the eight current employees is under review,” according to NIU Today. Interim Controller Barbara Seldal has taken over Jackson’s duties and has also taken his place on a policy review board. Controller Jackson was put on the policy review board following the coffee fund allegations; however, he is currently charged with official misconduct, obstructing justice and violation of the State Property Control Act.

Following the announcement that charges had been filed against NIU employees, the university announced they had retained the services of J. William Roberts; Roberts will “provide additional expertise to the president and the Board of Trustees,” according to NIU Today. Roberts is a managing partner of Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP, 222 N. LaSalle St. in Chicago, and former U.S. attorney and former state’s attorney in Sangamon County.

“It’s a prudent move to have state-qualified representation with the university,” Palian said.

Paul Palian, director of NIU media and public relations, said Roberts can provide expertise in civil litigation, criminal litigation and government relations for NIU. The university’s legal counsel does not specialize in criminal litigation, he said.

The existence of the so-called “coffee fund” was first reported in an Aug. 4 Daily Chronicle article. NIU launched an investigation in response to the article, which alleged NIU employees would sell scrap metal from the university and keep the profit. Checks from the DeKalb Iron and Metal Company have totaled more than $13,000 since 2005, according to the Daily Chronicle. NIU confirmed the existence of the fund on Aug. 30. According to an NIU Today article, the fund has existed for over 20 years at a local bank. The fund was not NIU-authorized, according to the article, and the money was not used for “personal purpose or gain.” The account had $2,100 in it as of August 2012.