SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- An audit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., has found tens of thousands of Reagan artifacts cannot be accounted for.
The audit, performed by National Archives Inspector General Paul Brachfeld, found a "near universal" security breakdown left the Reagan mementos open to theft by insiders, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
Brachfeld said an investigation into allegations that a former employee stole memorabilia from the library has been obstructed by poor record keeping at the facility.
"We have been told by sources that a person who had access capability removed holdings," Brachfeld said. "But we can't lock in as to what those may be."
A library volunteer speaking on condition of anonymity said an archivist was fired and accused of stealing from the collections about six months ago.
"It's just awful," she said. "He was someone in a position of trust."
A National Archives spokeswoman said the agency is working to fix the security issues cited by the audit.
