Bail set for historian in Md. document theft case

BALTIMORE (AP) — A presidential historian charged with stealing millions of dollars in documents from the Maryland Historical Society has had his bail set at $500,000.

Hearings for 63-year-old Barry Landau and his assistant, 24-year-old Jason Savedoff, both of New York City, were held today in Baltimore Circuit Court. Savedoff’s bail was set at $750,000.

The men were arrested this month after authorities say a historical society employee saw Savedoff take a document out of the library. They’re charged with theft over $100,000.

Investigators say they found 60 historical documents, many of them signed out by Landau, inside a locker Savedoff was using at the library. They include papers signed by President Abraham Lincoln worth $300,000 and presidential inaugural ball invitations and programs worth $500,000.

Attorneys for the men dispute the charges.