[78-L] NARA wants its stuff back

[Michael Biel]

From: David Lennick <dlennick at sympatico.ca>
> Anyone else receive a "To whom it may concern" letter from Matthew Elliott, 
> Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, National Archives and Records 
> Administration, advising us that we've received stolen property purchased from 
> hi-fi_gal? I got one yesterday. And I haven't purchased anything on eBay in 
> close to 4 years, so naturally I don't have the foggiest idea what they think I 
> have.
>
> By the way, their wording contradicts itself..under no circumstances should I 
> sell or transfer this material to another person or entity, but I should send 
> it to them. Hey, folks, they're an entity.  dl


One of my listeners to YesterdayUSA received such a letter, but his
letter from Special Agent Amber (sounds like a Bond girl!) specifically
listed the items he bought with the dates and prices.  It seems that Les
was making quite a good chunk of change -- I sure as hell wouldn't pay
these prices, and that might have kept me safe! I only loaned stuff TO
him!!  

I'll reprint the contents here without the guy's name. It is a good
indication of the type of stuff Les was selling -- things that were NOT
of any interest to the goals and purposes of the National Archives. 
There is no way in the world that NARA would have wanted this stuff in
their collection, and Les has mentioned that the STILL do not want this
stuff, but might have to take it because if they refuse it it would be
an embarrassment to NARA.

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com

=====================================
Mr. *****,
 
The following purchases were made under your former user ID bidder
******
  
 Transaction #1
 May 14, 2002
 Two 16" transcription discs containing parts 1 and 2 of a 30 minute
episode in the radio crime melodrama The Shadow (Title: Appointment with
Death)
 $333.49 was the total price including shipping
  
 Transcription #2
 March 16, 2002
 Six transcription discs containing 25 minute programs (episodes #131,
136, 137, 138, 140, 145). On the reverse side the discs is The Sunday
Night Music Hall (episodes #1,6, 7, 8, 10, 15)
 $220.00
  
 Transaction #3
 March 16, 2002
 Two transcription discs containing parts 1 and 2 o a 30 minute program
Suspense (Crisis)
 $97.49
  
 Transaction #4
 March 16, 2002
 Three transcription discs containing three 25 minute programs of
Dragnet (#367, 369, 370. On the reverse side of the discs are Stars of
Jazz (#2, 4, 5)
 $110.75
  
 Transaction #5
 November 28, 2001
 Two transcription disc containing parts 1 and 2 of a 30 minute show The
Speed and Rocky Show ($44.89)
 November 26, 2001
 Ten transcription disc containing five 30 minute programs of The Chase
(episodes#25, 28, 32, 35, 37) On the reverse side of the discs are The
Whistler (#347, 350, 354, 357, 359). ($155.39)
 The total price for both sets of discs (12 discs) was $224.28 to
include shipping
  
 Transaction #6
 December 7, 2001
 Six transcription discs containing six 30 minute programs of Yours
Truly Johnny Dollar (#343, 350, 353, 365, 373, 375). On the reverse side
of the discs are six 25 minute programs from Sports Forum.
 $187.49
  
 We request that you also send any additional purchases that you
acquired from hi-fi_gal, as they may also be stolen property. If it is
discovered that any of the discs that you send to NARA do not belong to
NARA, they will be returned to you.  .
  
 Again the discs should be sent directly to NARA OIG via Registered
Mail, UPS or FedEx to:
 NARA OIG
 8601 Adelphi Road
 Suite 1300
 College Park, MD 20740-6001
 Attn: Amber Howell
  
 In addition, if you would like to be considered for restitution
payment, I can submit your name to the court to be included on the list.
By submitting your contact information to the court you will also be
notified of any court proceedings relevant to this investigation. 
  
 Thank you for your assistance in this matter. We look forward to
working with you further. 
  
 Please contact me if I can provide you with any additional information.

    

 Special Agent Amber Howell
 National Archives and Records Administration
 Office of the Inspector General
 Phone 301-837-3286
 Fax 301-837-3197
  

====================================