Virginia Man Steals Documents From National Archives, Faces Jail Time

Story dated 08 March 2005

"[A man] stole 118 documents by hiding them in his clothing, according to [U.S. Attorney] Wainstein and Sarah T. Chasson, an assistant U.S. attorney who is prosecuting the case. He later sold many of them to a single private collector, who was not named in the court documents, and placed others for sale through the Butterfields auction house." "He faces a possible prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of $250,000. Under federal sentencing guidelines, his probable prison term will be 24 to 30 months, according to federal prosecutors."

"At his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Allan Weinstein, the new U.S. Archivist, announced plans to thoroughly review security issues, including the loss of documents through thefts or mishandling." ""We have zero tolerance for any kind of theft," said National Archives spokeswoman Susan Cooper. "The new archivist said he has only anger and contempt for those who abuse the privilege" of Archives research." Well, that's interesting. Anyone else find that interesting? Because, you see, I remember this Sandy Berger guy. You know the guy -- used to be on Clinton's national security team? Yeah, well, he was caught sneaking sensitive documents out of the National Archives in his socks and underwear. In October of 2003. He's still free, though still under investigation. I'll take this Weinstein character seriously when Berger is hauled off in shackles and put in prison where he belongs.
---------Indict Sandy Berger now

posted by The Sovereign Editor | 7:33 AM

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