New Bedford Whaling Museum former employee eyed in $150K theft had a background check
NEW BEDFORD — A man suspected of stealing $150,000 in artifacts from the New Bedford Whaling Museum while working as a maintenance man had received "a full background check."
New Bedford Whaling Museum President and CEO Amanda McMullen said Robert M. Burchell's background check prior to hiring also included a CORI review.
A state Criminal Offender Record Information check uses a prospective employee's name and date of birth to track whether he or she has a criminal record in Massachusetts courts.
McMullen added in a letter to the City Council, "As I am sure you are aware, state background checks are not failsafe nor immune to human error."
McMullen also declined in the letter to attend Tuesday's City Council committee meeting at the request of Councilor Brian Gomes.
Gomes had wanted to discuss hiring procedures at the Museum, as well as who was responsible for reviewing CORI checks, and who hired Burchell.
Gomes had also requested that Museum security personnel attend the meeting, which was also declined.McMullen stated the Whaling Museum is a private, non-profit institution. Its policies and procedures are not subject to City Council review.
The matter is also still before the court, and the Museum's insurer, she said.
An estimated 192 artifacts were stolen. McMullen said the vast majority have been recovered.
Burchell allegedly stole the items during his second year working for the Museum, taking small items he could sneak by entrance surveillance cameras.
As a maintenance employee he had access to artifact storage areas that were not covered by surveillance cameras, according to prosecutors.
Burchell, 42, was arraigned in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River in April on 13 counts of larceny over $1,200 and six counts of larceny under $1,200. The larceny-over charges each carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison.
Burchell was arrested in January after a West Bridgewater coin and jewelry store owner to whom Burchell sold some of the artifacts grew suspicious and alerted police.
Burchell has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is out on $5,000 bail. He is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 14.
Prosecutors said in April Burchell has a record with 11 shoplifting entries, two counts of larceny over $1,200, a breaking and entering and a malicious destruction of property. He has served time on some of these charges, according to prosecutors.
McMullen said in her letter that the Museum has "conducted a comprehensive independent review by a seasoned museum security expert, and we have taken significant steps to reduce future vulnerability."
The Whaling Museum has also had a CORI policy and screening requirement in place for all volunteers and employees for decades, McMullen said.
Gomes said during Tuesday's meeting, though, that he knew of one long-term employee who was not CORI reviewed.
He added he wasn't happy that the letter declining the invitation was hand-delivered to the council office Tuesday afternoon, though the letter was dated June 20.
Gomes said his purpose for calling the meeting wasn't to beat up on the Museum but to make sure adequate security procedures were in place.
He said the artifacts represented the city's history, and belonged to city residents. Museum officials are custodians entrusted with the items, he said.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Whaling Museum employee eyed in theft had background check
