U of I Director Investigated

The director of the University of Illinois' Police Training Institute is under investigation tonight for possible conflicts of interest between the institute and military contractor, Blackwater, USA. The school wants to know about Director Tom Dempsey's relationship with Blackwater and whether it creates problems for the university. Officials say Dempsey has been working as a consultant with Blackwater in his spare time. He also just signed an agreement for the training institute to partner with the company. All U of I employees are required to sign a document that says they're receiving no more than $9,999 from any outside organization they may work for. Leaders say, his position and the new partnership with the institute could pose a problem. "It's very important that we make sure that they're always in the best interest of the university and the people of Illinois." says U of I Public Affairs Director, Robin Kaler. "That's what we're trying to make sure is happening here." Right now Dempsey is currently out of the country. School officials are trying to contact him. They say they want to know exactly how much Blackwater is paying him, whether it's more than $10,000, and why his work there is not spelled out in his agreement. They say it's a matter of determining the nature of the partnership and Dempsey's intentions. Dempsey has been director of the Police Training Institute since 2002.