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. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the sentencing, following Stalf's guilty plea on July 23 to 15 felonies including aggravated theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud, and tampering with records.
Yost remarked on the significance of the zoo to Central Ohio, stating, “The zoo has long been a crown jewel of Central Ohio, but this pretender stole the jewels right out of that crown. Cages can hold more than zoo animals.”
Stalf was accused of using his position as CEO to benefit himself and others by engaging in corrupt activities and falsifying financial documents. Alongside Stalf, Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut and Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell were also indicted on September 18, 2023. They were charged with manipulating credit-card and check-authorization forms for personal gain over more than ten years. Two additional former employees have also faced charges since the indictment.
The funds misappropriated were reportedly spent on personal luxuries such as concert tickets, sporting events suites, golf memberships, travel expenses across states and countries, meals, alcohol, and vehicles.
A court memorandum highlighted the failure of Stalf and his associates in fulfilling their fiduciary duties to 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.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Stalf must pay $315,572.65 in criminal restitution to various entities including the Columbus Zoo. This amount is supplementary to $400,000 already paid on his behalf.
Regarding other individuals involved: Greg Bell received a three-year prison sentence along with an order to pay $583,697.44 in restitution; Tracy Murnane was sentenced to 60 days in jail followed by three years probation after paying $101,000 in restitution; Grant Bell received two years probation with an order for $8,554.61 restitution payment; while Fingerhut awaits sentencing scheduled for October 28 after pleading guilty on July 2.
The prosecution was led by Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Section at Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel's request. The investigation received assistance from the Ohio Auditor’s Office.