DeKALB – Top Northern Illinois University administrator Eddie Williams was placed on a paid leave of absence Friday in light of a federal investigation that is probing both the school and the low-income housing development Eden’s Garden that Williams owns.

NIU President John Peters said in a statement Friday that Williams, chief of operations and executive vice president of finance and facilities, had agreed to step aside until there is a resolution to the investigation, which started Wednesday morning when FBI, state police and officials from two other federal agencies collected years’ worth of materials from the NIU Police Department.

“Dr. Williams has been integral to our success, and we have the highest regard for his 42-year commitment to Northern Illinois University,” Peters said in a statement. “He will take this step until resolution of the investigation to avoid any appearance of conflict or any question concerning the university’s response to this matter.”