[MSN] US. Mariners' Museum sues to get items returned

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  Mariners' Museum sues to get items returned.

BY SHAWN DAY
sday at dailypress.com <http://sday@dailypress.com> | 247-4816
May 9, 2007, 10:08 PM EDT

NEWPORT NEWS -- The former chief archivist for the Mariners' Museum 
library is facing a civil suit filed by the museum claiming he stole -- 
and then sold -- archived items.

Lester Weber was fired Sept. 25 for "policy violations which include, in 
part, the theft of archival items from the Museum's collections for 
subsequent sale on the internet and eBay," according to a statement from 
Alan Diamonstein, chairman of the Mariners' Museum Board of Trustees.

Newport News Police Officer Harold Eley, a department spokesman, 
confirmed police are looking into allegations against Weber but declined 
to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

Weber and his wife, Lori Childs, are named as defendants in a civil suit 
filed April 16 in Newport News Circuit Court. Diamonstein, reached late 
Wednesday, said the museum is seeking the return of stolen merchandise 
and money for merchandise that was sold.

"They were archival items that people had given…," Diamonstein said. 
"They weren't on display yet."

Lester Weber couldn't be reached for comment. His wife, who answered a 
phone call late Wednesday, said she couldn't talk about the case and 
hung up.

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