Winterthur employee charged with $128,000 theft

A former Winterthur Museum employee has been charged with stealing more than $128,000 from the Delaware estate over a 5-year period, police said.

Delaware State Police said Julian E. Leager Jr., 54, had been the museum's facilities group supervisor and had access to a company credit card.

An internal audit found "multiple suspicious purchases" by Leager, a police statement said.

"As company officials delved further into this fraud, it was learned that Leager was buying items for his personal use and had altered company records to cover his tracks," the statement said.

The amount of the alleged fraud was $128,381.

After the audit, Winterthur fired Leager and notified the state police, who executed a search warrant at Leager's home and recovered items that included flat screen televisions, a digital camera, computer equipment and two ATV's.

Leager, who voluntarily surrendered yesterday, has been charged with theft over $100,000, six counts of unlawful use of a credit card and falsifying business records. He is free on $16,500 secured bond.

Winterthur is the former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont and is known for its collection of antiques and decorative and fine arts.