Stealing America's Space History
“In the fall of 2003, the Cosmosphere’s internal inventory uncovered irregularities – and further investigation showed items were removed from the collection and sold improperly.”
Former Kansas Cosmosphere Director Indicted on Charges of Stealing Space Artifacts, U.S. Department of Justice
“Max Ary, the former director of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center has been indicted on charges of stealing artifacts from the space flight museum in Hutchinson, Kan., and selling them.” … “We are prosecuting this case on behalf of NASA and others who have intrusted valuable historical artifacts to the Cosmosphere’s keeping,” Melgren said. “It is significant to all Americans that the history of this nation’s heroic exploration of space be preserved and retold to each new generation, and it is important to the citizens of Kansas that the integrity of one of the state’s most valuable educational resources be protected.”
