Ethics expert clears Daniels for PU job

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana's top ethics official says Gov. Mitch Daniels won't face any restrictions on his new job as Purdue University's president.

Inspector General David Thomas ruled this week that Daniels won't have to adhere to a one-year "cooling off" period required of many state employees who take new jobs because he was never involved in negotiating a contract between the state and Purdue.

The Journal & Courier reports the ruling also says Daniels can continue to appoint university trustees and sign off on university bonds while he is governor.

Purdue trustees selected Daniels in June to become the university's 12th president. He will take the helm in January once his second term as governor ends.

Thomas's opinions aren't binding. Only the full ethics commission can issue a binding opinion.