Eric Landis has reached a deal with the Beshear administration which has agreed to give him a state job, back pay, partial attorney fees and a clear personnel file. That's according to Landis' attorney Fred Peters. In return, Landis agrees not to sue the Beshear administration which admits no wrongdoing.

Landis was a non merit advance man for Gov. Ernie Fletcher when he left for National Guard training last fall. When he returned, Beshear was governor and had no place for Landis in the Governor's office. Landis was eventually fired in January. But state and federal laws require governments to give active duty military personnel their jobs back when they return from active duty. The laws bar governments from terminating their employment. So Landis hired an attorney to negotiate with Dan Egbers of the Personnel Cabinet. The deal was signed today and Landis reported for work today, as well.

He's working for the Kentucky Adjutant General's office at the Bluegrass Army Depot near Richmond. Landis is earning about $40,000, about the same salary he was getting in the governor's office, according to Peters. Landis is a non-merit employee but he can't be fired "without cause" for one year, according to the agreement. He also gets back pay from the day he was canned in January and some of his attorney fees are being paid by the state.

Governor Beshear continued to defend his administration's firing of Landis in a brief interview today. But he says he's glad a negotiated settlement could be worked out. Landis didn't return phone messages but his attorney says Landis is pleased with the settlement and glad to back to work for state government.