Hardy Franklin, director of the District of Columbia Public Library from 1975 to 1997 and 1993-94 ALA president, pled guilty May 26 to felony conflict-of-interest for failing to repay some $20,000 of about $50,000 the city advanced him for travel expenses he incurred as an ALA officer. The Association reimburses its presidents for their ALA-related expenses during their terms.
"It was basically a double-dipping scheme," U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson Channing D. Phillips told the Washington Post May 27 about the original two-count indictment for mail fraud and theft. "He was not guilty of theft or defrauding the D.C. government," defense attorney E. Lawrence Barcella Jr. said of Franklin, who is said to have recently suffered a major heart attack. Barcella reported that his client plans to make restitution to the city and the IRS.
Sentencing, scheduled for September 17, could result in a six-month jail term and a $5,000 fine.
Posted June 1, 1998.