Archivist Charged with Hundreds of Thefts from New York State Library

A New York state archivist has admitted stealing hundreds of historical artifacts beginning in 2002 from the New York State Library in Albany that he sold on the internet to pay for household repairs and his daughter’s $10,000 credit card bill.

Daniel Lorello, accessioning and special project coordinator at the State Archives, was arraigned in city court January 28 on charges that included grand larceny and processing stolen property, the Albany Times Union reported January 29. He was released without bail and suspended with pay from his job.

Lorello admitted selling two copies of Davy Crockett’s Almanack, from 1835 and 1837, for around $3,200 and $2,000 respectively late last year, and a copy of Poor Richard’s Almanac for $1,001 around the same time. His scheme was uncovered when an 1823 letter from Vice President John C. Calhoun he tried to sell on Ebay was noticed by Virginia attorney and history buff Joseph Romito, who discovered it belonged to the State Library and alerted authorities.

In a statement, Lorello said he took more than 300 items in 2007 alone. He added that he “particularly liked” artifacts associated with the Revolutionary, Civil, and Mexican wars, World War I, black Americana, and “anything related to the Roosevelts and Jewish items.” State Library staffers have thus far recovered 263 items.

Posted on February 4, 2008. Discuss.

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