Originally published October 2, 2008 at 11:40 AM | Page modified October 2, 2008 at 11:40 AM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Man gets prison for thefts from NY state archive
An archivist convicted of selling stolen New York artifacts such as an original Currier & Ives lithograph on eBay was sentenced Thursday to two to six years in prison, paid $129,500 in restitution and handed over his personal collection to the state.
Associated Press Writer
An archivist convicted of selling stolen New York artifacts such as an original Currier & Ives lithograph on eBay was sentenced Thursday to two to six years in prison, paid $129,500 in restitution and handed over his personal collection to the state.
"I apologize to the people of the state of New York, especially to my colleagues, whose public trust I violated," Daniel Lorello said. He was led from Albany County Court in handcuffs.
The 55-year-old former archives and records management specialist for the state Department of Education pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in August.
Some 1,600 items have been recovered, and the restitution will be used in part to repay people who bought and gave back some of them, said John Milgrim, spokesman for the Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Lorello admitted stealing since 1997, and his personal collection worth an estimated $80,000 will be added to the state's collection, Milgrim said.
Defense attorney Stanley Segal said New York's collection could actually expand as a result of the case. Lorello had collected photographs of Civil War soldiers, many from his home state of Maine, and first-edition books, which were turned over.
"Dan was widely regarded as an expert on the Civil War, especially as it had to do with New York state," Segal said.
The investigation was prompted by a Virginia man who alerted authorities after an 1823 letter was offered on eBay. It was a letter from John C. Calhoun to a New York general. Calhoun later became vice president.
Other stolen items included Davy Crockett Almanacs and a Winfield Scott Hancock calling card. Lorello also posted for sale on eBay a Currier & Ives lithograph showing a view from West Point.
New York's collection has about 200 million items, said education department spokesman Tom Dunn. A recent audit was done, and outside experts were hired to assess security at the State Museum building, which houses the state library and archives.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Ousted Honduras leader blocked from return by air
Pakistan attack targets nuclear lab workers
Nuclear-arms control heads Obama's Moscow agenda
Jackson worth $100M more than he owed?
Israel free to set own Iran path, Biden says

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- Posh on Main Semiannual Sale
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Progressive...
- Alhambra July Sale
- Evo Independence Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Outdoor-theater season kicks off at Volunteer Park
- Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill
