Lincoln library head sacked after arrests

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The head of Illinois' Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has been fired after it emerged that he was arrested twice for shoplifting.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich sent a letter to Rick Beard, 61, Tuesday informing the executive director of the museum that he is "hereby removed and dismissed" from his position at the Springfield, Ill., facility, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

The move comes after Beard was accused of attempting to steal a $39.99 DVD box set of "House" Season 4 from a Target store in August. It was also revealed that Beard received court supervision and paid a $200 fine after he was accused of shoveling merchandise into his shopping bag at Macy's in February 2007, only three months after he was appointed executive director of the museum.

Museum spokesman David Blanchette said officials did not know about Beard's arrests until last week. He said Beard had done a "great job" at the facility and it is unfortunate that the accusations put a "dark cloud over his accomplishments."