DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — The former CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has changed his plea to guilty ahead of his trial in the state’s investigation into the alleged misuse of zoo funds and resources.
According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office, Tom Stalf accepted an agreement and pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas to 15 felonies:
- One count of aggravated theft
- One count of conspiracy
- One count of telecommunications fraud
- 12 counts of tampering with records
RELATED: READ: Columbus Zoo releases findings of investigation into misuse of resources by former executives
As part of the plea agreement, Stalf agreed to pay $315,572.65 in criminal damages to Columbus Zoo, the state of Ohio and the IRS. This is in addition to the $400,000 he already made to the zoo.
Stalf’s trial was supposed to begin in August. He will be sentenced on Oct. 14.
Stalf was one of four former zoo executives who was charged as part of the state’s investigation. Former chief financial officer Greg Bell, former marketing director Pete Fingerhut and former purchasing agent Tracy Murnane were also indicted by the state.
Grant Bell, a former purchasing agent and Grant Bell’s son was charged with one count of theft in the fraud investigation. He was the fifth and final defendant to be charged in the investigation.
The former employees were accused of having defrauded the zoo of more than $2.29 million and used the money for personal benefits.
The Columbus Zoo conducted an internal investigation and found that:
- Stalf is responsible for $423,049.00 in losses, plus interest
- Bell is responsible for $138,889.00 in losses, plus interest
- Fingerhut is responsible for $56,981.00 in losses, plus interest
- Murnane is responsible for $12,732.00 in losses, plus interest
Bell, Fingerhut and Murnane pleaded guilty to separate felony charges. They will be sentenced in September.