Former Columbus Zoo CEO sentenced to prison for 7 years

Last July, Tom Stalf, former CEO of the Columbus Zoo, admitted to 12 counts of tampering with records as well as counts of fraud, including the theft of almost $2.3 million. On Monday, October 13, Stalf pleaded guilty to 15 felony charges for the theft of the millions of dollars.

The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas judge sentenced Stalf to seven years in prison, plus 18-36 months of community control when released. Stalf also has to pay $315,572.65 in restitution. 

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Stalf and four other Columbus Zoo officials were accused of credit-card and check manipulation for a decade, using stolen funds for personal uses such as lavish non-zoo related items, including suites and tickets to concerts and sporting events; golf memberships; trips to multiple states and foreign countries; meals, beverages and alcohol; and motor vehicles, according to a press release last year from Attorney General Dave Yost. 

Stalf personally used the Zoo funds to buy a $45,000 RV.

As for the other Zoo officials:
-Tracy Murnane, former purchasing agent, pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced to two months in jail
-Pete Fingerhut, former marketing director, pleaded guilty is scheduled for a sentence hearing on October 28
-Gregory Bell, former chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy and theft and 12 charges of tampering with records and was sentenced to three years in prison 
-Grant Bell, former purchasing assistant and son of Gregory Bell, was sentenced to two years of community control 

Total, the five former Zoo officials must pay around $600,000 in restitution.

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