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Lincoln Library/Museum Head Fired Over Shoplifting Allegations
The executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has been fired. Rick Beard was placed on administrative leave last week, after it was revealed that he had been charged with a shoplifting offense in August. He was accused of taking about $40 worth of DVDs from a Target store. This wasn't the first such incident. Beard was charged last year with misdemeanor theft for taking neckties from another Springfield store, and served supervision.

"The governor made the decision to terminate Mr. Beard's employment effective today," said Dave Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Blanchette says the agency also checked on the museum's belongings. "As a precaution, we did an inventory of the Lincoln collection over the weekend, more than 50,000 items," he said. "Everything is where it should be, so that collection is safe and sound. And indeed the facility is designed in such a way that the collection can be safe, and it would be very difficult if not impossible for any of those items to go missing."

Beard's state salary was $150,000 a year, plus another amount from the library and museum foundation which has not been disclosed. Beard's attorney says Beard is innocent.

(Illinois Radio Network)


(Rick Beard. File Photo)
10 28 08 by Newsroom
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