(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The head of Duke Energy's operations in Indiana is out of a job. 

The Associated Press reports the utility dropped the axe on Mike Reed on Monday and also fired staff attorney Scott Storms. 

Both were dismissed as Duke has been wrapped up in an ethics scandal concerning its Edwardsport, Ind. plant. They had each been on administrative leave since October.

Storms, formerly an attorney for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, was in job negotiations with Duke Energy as he was reviewing cases regarding the $3 billion plant being built in southwestern Indiana.

Reed was also the former executive director at the IURC prior to joining Duke two years ago.

Details on the firings disclosed to employees in a memo were not provided by the utility company.  The memo also said Duke would change its hiring guidelines to "ensure that job candidates linked to regulatory and oversight groups are removed from all Duke Energy affairs prior to being considered for opportunities."