David Breithaupt and his girlfriend, Christa Hupp, were charged with selling 50 items for a total of $26,000. The highest take came from a 16th-century copy of Ptolemy’s Almagest, which brought $4,750; its replacement cost is $7,000, the Associated Press reported December 19.
Although Breithaupt’s job as a night supervisor did not include access to the special collections, he persuaded custodians and other staff to let him into the area, authorities said.
Breithaupt faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of a plea bargain, federal prosecutors agreed to drop other charges and agreed to not charge Hupp. Breithaupt also agreed to help the library locate some of the stolen works. Although some of the items have been returned, Director of Information Resources Christopher Barth said, “There’s a lot more out there that we haven’t recovered.”
Last year the college won a $1-million judgment against Breithaupt and Hupp, but has yet to receive any of the money.
Posted December 23, 2004.