DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — The former CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Tom Stalf, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a scheme that defrauded the zoo of over $2.3 million, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Stalf pleaded guilty on July 23 to 15 felony charges, including aggravated theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud, and tampering with records.
“The zoo has long been a crown jewel of Central Ohio, but this pretender stole the jewels right out of that crown,” Yost said. “Cages can hold more than zoo animals.”
During his time as CEO, Stalf abused his position to enrich himself, his friends, and his family by orchestrating a fraudulent operation and manipulating financial records to hide the misconduct. Along with two other former executives — Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut and Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell — Stalf was accused of manipulating credit card and check-authorization forms to divert public funds for personal expenses over the course of a decade. Since the initial charges, two additional zoo employees have also been implicated.
The stolen funds were spent on luxury items and experiences, including tickets to concerts and sporting events, golf memberships, lavish trips, high-end meals, and vehicles, none of which had any relation to the zoo business.
In a court filing, prosecutors emphasized how Stalf and his co-conspirators violated their fiduciary duties, betraying both the zoo and taxpayers.
“Leaders of charities and nonprofits in Ohio undertake the responsibility to support the charitable missions of the organizations they lead and set an example to the employees they oversee to be stewards of the organization and its assets,” the filings said.
In addition to his prison sentence, Stalf has been ordered to pay $315,572.65 in restitution to the Columbus Zoo, the state of Ohio, and the IRS. This is in addition to $400,000 in restitution already paid on his behalf.
Of the others charged in the case, all but Fingerhut have been sentenced:
- Greg Bell received a three-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay $583,697.44 in restitution.
- Former purchasing agent Tracy Murnane was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of probation and paid $101,000 in restitution.
- Grant Bell, former purchasing assistant and son of Greg Bell, received two years of probation and was ordered to pay $8,554.61 in restitution.
Fingerhut, who pleaded guilty in early July, is scheduled for sentencing on October 28.