Famed historian Barry Landau, one of the country's foremost specialists on American presidents, was arrested. Millions of dollars' worth of important documents was supposedly taken by Landau and an accomplice.
How he behaved
Landau, 63, and his accomplice, Jason Savedoff, 24, were both charged with thievery Saturday. Stuff was stolen from the Maryland Old Society museum. This could be found in Baltimore. An employee at the museum viewed the pair when he found their habits questionable. He called the police after he said he witnessed Savedoff put a file in a portfolio and leave the building.
File in locker
Later, the police found millions of dollars' worth of documents in a locker used by Savedoff. This integrated papers signed by Abraham Lincoln and presidential inaugural ball invitations. An investigation is being launched to the matter. It will talk about museum thefts under a federal statute.
Even signed out
There are lots of rules about the paperwork in the museum's collection. They're very strict. A signature is required at each visit, and only one set of documents can be checked out at a time to be viewed within the museum building. In addition, a first-time viewer is needed to fill out a registration form and present current photo identification. Landau wasn't very wise about the theft. He checked out many documents found.
A media-friendly professional
When it comes to American presidential trivia, Landau is a professional. He is also known as a collector of important presidential inaugural memorabilia. He wrote a book in 2007. It was called "The Presidential Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining and Diplomacy." The book was meant to be the first part of a trilogy.
Interviewed on July 4
The national media interviews Landau regularly. He was interviewed on July 4 by CNN. He said that the American flag doesn't get enough respect from citizens.
Could have lost so much
Burt Kummerow, president of the Maryland Old Society, expressed to CNN reporters how grateful he was that the papers had been retrieved. "It would have been a huge loss because then (the documents) are no longer in the public record and then they're no longer available."
Information from
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/12/barry-landau-_n_895452.html
NY Daily News
nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/07/12/2011-07-12_presidential_historian_barry_landau_charged_with_stealing_millions_of_dollars_wo.htm
Village Voice
blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/07/barry_landau_pr.php
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