To the Editor:

It is alarming to learn that State’s Attorney Clay Campbell has leveled felony charges against several university employees over the so-called “coffee fund”. Considering the circumstances, this unprecedented step seems to be the equivalent of opening a peanut with a prosecutorial sledgehammer (rather than having it adjudicated rigorously through normal NIU personnel procedures).

Why do I assert this? From reports it appears this practice has been going on well before most if not all were employed at materials management. It is obvious they were not aware of any criminal exposure to this as it was a totally transparent operation. A clerk kept meticulous nonsecret records of all transactions. The checks at the scrap yard were made out on request to the “coffee fund” – obviously no attempt to conceal purpose here. There is no assertion this was done for personal gain. Clearly this process wouldn’t cut mustard with Tony Soprano or the Dixon comptroller who walked off with $53 million.