Reagan Library faulted for missing mementos

[KG]

By Jill Serjeant
Thu Nov 8, 4:58 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library has been asked to carry out a full inventory and improve security after an audit found tens of thousands of mementos unaccounted for.

National Archives Inspector General Paul Brachfeld said on Thursday that the Reagan Library complex, outside Los Angeles, could account for only 20,000 of an estimated 100,000 items in its collection.

"We found a significant breakdown in internal controls at the Ronald Reagan Library," Brachfeld said in a statement.

"This does not automatically mean the approximately 80,000 remaining items are missing. ... Some of these items may be missing or stolen, or none of these items may be missing or stolen," he said.

The library commemorates Reagan's life through exhibits of papers, political gifts, letters, artworks and other items associated with his career from actor to U.S. president. Reagan died in 2004 at age 93.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that the National Archives audit found the library "may have experienced loss or pilferage the scope of which will likely never be known."

The newspaper quoted Brachfeld as saying his office was investigating charges that a former employee stole Reagan memorabilia but the probe was hampered by lax record-keeping

MORE>>> http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071108/us_nm/usa_reagan_crime_dc


heh. seems appropriate considering what a den of thieves his administrations were.

[Uben]

1. Bush is building a library

I'd check there first. He's a bit of a clepto, I hear.

[Patsy Stone]

2. Maybe it's part of a bigger plan

Something like, "In keeping with the Alzheimer's theme, objects will occasionally disappear allowing more frequent visitors to experience its early stages, promoting a greater awareness of this devastating disease."

[sam sarrha]

4. i think bu$h 41 gave him a lobotomy to keep him from testifying at th iran contra hearings, it seems

his Alzheimer's came on way to sudden

casey, head if cia got a brain tumor weeks before the hearing and the emergency surgery to save his life removed the area of his brain containing his memory thus he couldn't testify

another white house person was found mysteriously dead in hid canoe, and several others died too

[kestrel91316]

3. This can't be right. I'm SURE it's actually the Clenis' fault.

[Lex]

5. Simply put: Republicans are thieves and incompetents.

It is proven time and time again.

[ShaneGR]

6. Is it safe to say they forgot where they put them?

God that was so wrong of me to say in so many ways. Anyways, interesting that the Republican faithful stole that many items from their beloved leaders stash.

[ShaneGR]

7. By the way, Associated Press says 80,000 of 100,000... nt

[MagickMuffin]

8. Will Tweety talk about this non stop like he does the Clinton's?

Man, who wrote this sentence, Donny Rumsfailed?

"This does not automatically mean the approximately 80,000 remaining items are missing. ... Some of these items may be missing or stolen, or none of these items may be missing or stolen," he said.

[LibDemAlways]

9. The Reagan Library is located in Simi Valley, CA, in one of

the most unsophisticated, backward areas of the state, Ventura County. (I'm 20 minutes away, and, believe me, this is Podunk.) The "Library," Reagan's monument to himself, is staffed by a bunch of volunteers - little old ladies and pasty old guys who wear polyester sansabelts. Somebody intent on ripping off the memorabilia would have no problem. Just show up with a crew-cut, a flag lapel pin, swear eternal allegience to St. Ronnie, and gain the keys to the kingdom via a low-level job that provides access to everything. Why anyone would want a Bedtime for Bonzo poster is beyond me, but that's the kind of crap that's on display.

[UTUSN]

10. Re-post from the other threads on this topic

Has anybody looked in the RAYGUNs' house? Ron & Nancy have a history of ripping off, scoring, and shaking down their benefactors, sponsors (General Electric), and political contributors. They lived by "keeping up with the JONESes," but in their case the JONESes were top-of-the-liners, A-listers, so the RAYGUNs had a lot of keeping up to do.

What about RAYGUN's supposed strength in national security---trust but verify, which made the Ruskies LAUGH in his face? Rethug GREED trumps all.


I luerve Kitty KELLEY's book. Recently one of the tabloids said Nancy called Ms KELLEY the person she hates more than any other---haha!1

[Rincewind]

11. check e-bay nt.