Former Columbus Zoo CEO Pleads Guilty to 15 Felony Counts, Agrees to Pay Additional Restitution of $315,572.65

COLUMBUS – The former Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Zoo pleaded guilty Tuesday to 15 felony charges for his role in the theft of more than $2.29 million, Auditor of State Keith Faber said.

Tom Stalf admitted to 12 counts of tampering with records and single counts of theft by deception, conspiracy, and telecommunication fraud during a hearing in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.

Stalf also agreed to pay restitution totaling $315,572.65 over and above funds paid as part of an earlier settlement in a civil lawsuit. The new restitution covers credit card purchases for personal use, tickets to Ohio State and Columbus Blue Jackets sporting events and concerts, personal golf club incidental purchases, and other improper spending while he was CEO.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Stalf was one of five people who were charged after the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the Attorney General’s Office launched a joint criminal investigation and forensic audit of the Columbus Zoo in April 2021, shortly after a Columbus Dispatch article brought some of the issues involved to light.

Ultimately, investigators uncovered schemes perpetrated by Columbus Zoo executives, who used Zoo funds for vacations, vehicles, concerts, sporting events and other acts of personal enrichment. The crimes allegedly took place between 2011 and 2021.

Former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell pleaded guilty in October 2023 to 12 counts of tampering with records, one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of corrupt activity, and one count of aggravated theft, all felonies. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Tracy Murnane, former director of purchasing, pleaded guilty earlier this month to felony counts of grand theft; complicity in the commission of theft of a motor vehicle; forgery; telecommunications fraud; and filing incomplete, false and fraudulent returns, plus misdemeanor counts related to the acquisition of motor vehicles without obtaining certificates of title in his name. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Former Director of Marketing Pete Fingerhut, also pleaded guilty earlier this month to one felony count of aggravated theft, 11 felony counts of tampering with records, three felony counts of telecommunications fraud, one felony count of conspiracy, and one misdemeanor count of falsification. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Grant Bell, a former purchasing assistant, was charged earlier this month under a bill of information with one felony count of theft.

Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa A. Schiffel appointed Attorney General Dave Yost’s office to head the prosecution; two attorneys from Yost’s office and one attorney from SIU are serving as special prosecutors in the case.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 121 convictions resulting in more than $8.3 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictions since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU’s fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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The Auditor of State’s Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

Public Affairs
Contact: Marc Kovac
press@ohioauditor.gov