Library head fired for not being honest like Abe

[October 29, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- The head of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was fired Tuesday after museum officials discovered he had been arrested twice for shoplifting items from a mall, including $40 worth of DVDs.

Director Rick Beard, 61, was formally fired Tuesday by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said Dave Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Beard made nearly $250,000 a year as director of the museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, which raises money to support the library.

He was charged in August with trying to steal $40 worth of DVDs from a Target store. He has pleaded not guilty.

Beard also was charged with misdemeanor theft last year after being caught allegedly trying to steal $300 worth of neckties at a shopping mall. He received six months of supervision in that case.

Blanchette said museum officials didn't know of any problems when Beard was hired two years ago.

"He passed the vetting procedure with flying colors," Blanchette said. "He was a great candidate at that time."

Jan Grimes, director of the Historic Preservation Agency, will run the Lincoln museum and library temporarily. Robert Coomer, a former director of Historic Preservation, will replace Beard at the foundation.

Calls to a Springfield listing for Beard were not answered.

[Associated Press]

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