June 7, 2007
Former museum director pleads guilty
The former director of the Independence Seaport Museum pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that he defrauded the institution out of $1.5 million and used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.Full story here.John S. Carter, 57, of Osterville submitted false invoices to get the maritime museum to pay for home improvements, artwork, jewelry, electronics and even a root canal, among other personal expenditures, federal authorities said. . .
Carter served as museum president for 17 years before being fired last year. The museum, located along the Delaware River waterfront, owns the Spanish-American War cruiser USS Olympia and the World War II-era submarine USS Becuna.
In a lawsuit filed against Carter in Massachusetts in January, museum officials accused him of defrauding the institution of $2.4 million.
Museum officials say the misuse of funds dated back to 1997.
Posted by David on June 7, 2007 10:38 AM
Together with the ethically challenged Smithsonian CEO, a Space Museum CEO selling space collectibles, another Southwestern museum head mosappropriating funds, museum shop managers good at "one for you and two for me," curators appraising collections that they are also trying to sell for a commission, and a host of other sticky hands in the museum world, this latest epsiode is more the Sopranos than protectors of our heritage. Where were the auditors, the Boards, the business managers, and what has become of the museum world? We can complain about what went on in Iraq, but is this any different> perhaps it is, but only because there are no IED's in the parking lots.
Posted by: Donald Wolberg on June 7, 2007 9:42 PM
cronaca.com