Don Grady

A three-year-old FBI probe of Northern Illinois University is over, according to the school. But the FBI won’t confirm that. 

In March 2013, FBI agents searched NIU’s public safety building, removing boxes of records, but not revealing what they were looking for. It was believed to be focused on former police chief Don Grady and head of finance Eddie Williams.

Former Northern Illinois University Police Chief Don Grady has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university's board of trustees. It comes a year after his firing. The Daily Chronicle reports the suit wants Grady to be reinstated with back pay and receive a public apology. 

The Daily Chronicle: Grady Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against NIU

Don Grady is still fighting his dismissal as NIU's police chief. Earlier this year, the university fired Grady amid a department scandal. Top officials were accused of mishandling evidence in a rape case against a former officer.

There have been several new faces around campus this year, including a new president, athletic director, and now police chief. 

Tom Phillips will start the job Sept. 16th.  Phillips has been deputy chief with the University of Chicago Police Department.

NIU President Doug Baker made the announcement Wednesday morning.

Phillips served in the Military Police Corps between 1987 and 1995 before moving to Chicago, where he briefly served as a special investigator for the City of Chicago’s Office of the Inspector General.

Police Chief Don Grady continued to draw a salary after he was placed on leave in November.  His salary at the time was around $205,987.92. Grady and another officer were accused of withholding evidence in a sexual assault case. The charges for that case were initially dropped, but have been re-filed.