Former Columbus Zoo CFO sentenced to three years in prison after $2.3 million fraud scandal

The former chief financial officer of the Columbus Zoo was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to his role in a conspiracy that illegally misused $2.3 million in zoo funds.




Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | August 22, 2024

Bell was part of the Columbus Zoo for nearly 30 years Photo credit: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The former chief financial officer of the Columbus Zoo was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to his role in a conspiracy that illegally misused $2.3 million in zoo funds.

The allegations stemmed from a 2021 Columbus Dispatch investigation that found zoo executives had allowed relatives to stay in homes owned or controlled by the zoo and used company funds to purchase tickets to various events for family members. Subsequent audits initiated by the zoo's board of directors found questionable business practices and inappropriate spending on executives' personal items, including concert tickets, golf memberships and vehicles.

In October last year, Bell pleaded guilty to 14 counts, including conspiracy, grand theft and 11 counts of falsification.

He faced more than 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Judge David Gormley ruled that the sentences would be served concurrently, meaning Bell faces prison time for the most serious of the charges – a second-degree felony.

In addition to his sentence, Bell must pay $583,697 in restitution, $10,000 in fines and court costs. He can be released in just six months.

“The zoo has been an important part of my life for over 29 years,” Bell said at the verdict. “The zoo placed great trust in me. And I let them down.”

Five Columbus Zoo employees were charged, with Bell being the first to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors in presenting evidence against the executives involved in the scandal.

Also involved in the plot was Grant Bell, Greg Bell's son. Prosecutors accuse Grant of “misappropriating” zoo property valued at between $1,000 and $7,000. Following his guilty plea, Grant could be sentenced to up to a year in prison or a $2,500 fine at sentencing, which is scheduled for September 9.

The zoo's former marketing director, Pete Fingerhut, pleaded guilty to 16 felony counts, including one misdemeanor. He was originally charged with 63 counts, including bribery, conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering. Fingerhut faces more than 37 years in prison. He has also agreed to pay the zoo $675,573 in restitution.

Tracy Murnane, the zoo's former purchasing manager, also pleaded guilty to six counts, including grand larceny, aiding and abetting theft, forgery and telecommunications fraud. He also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts. Murnane paid $90,000 in restitution, $60,000 of which went directly to the zoo. He faces more than eight years in prison for his role in the scheme.

Some have called former CEO Thomas Stalf the mastermind of the theft and fraud. Stalf pleaded guilty to 12 counts of tampering with records and one count of theft by deception, conspiracy and wire fraud. He also agreed to pay restitution totaling $315,572.65, in addition to money he paid as part of an earlier civil lawsuit settlement.

The other zoo officials involved in the scandal are expected to face separate charges later this year.