Final report on Columbus Zoo leadership theft released
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio Auditor of State released the final report from the investigation into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, more than four years after news first broke about top executives stealing $2.3 million from the zoo.
The special audit into the zoo led to the convictions and prison sentences for five former zoo leaders who used zoo money for personal purchases for ten years.
Ohio's power grid operator warns of potential power shortages this summer
The executives paid for suite tickets for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ohio State games, 2016 World Series tickets, One Direction concert tickets, vacations to Florida and limo services.
The final report included emails from the executives showing how they attempted to conceal the purchases by saying they were to entertain zoo donors and board members.
For their roles in the $2.3 million theft, former CEO Tom Stalf was sentenced to seven years in prison, former CFO Greg Bell received three years in prison and the former Director of Marketing Pete Fingerhut got five years behind bars. Combined, the men are paying back nearly $1.5 million in restitution.
The other two executives involved, Grant Bell and Tracy Murnane, received little to no jail time and are paying back much less in restitution.
New 'The Office' spinoff series to be set in Ohio
Ohio Auditor Keith Faber said current zoo leadership and the board of directors have made changes to make sure fraud like this does not happen again.
'This is a cautionary tale for everybody,' Faber said. 'Being on a nonprofit board is not just a ceremonial position. You get to just rubber stamp what the executives do. You have a real oversight role.'
The CEO of the Columbus Zoo, Tom Schmid, said the zoo is now focused on oversight for leaders and transparency. There is an ethics hotline for anonymous reporting, documentation on all transactions, a reduction in spending limits, and personal purchases are now prohibited.
'It's a new day, we have new leadership in place, we have a more engaged board of directors, we have dozens of new policies and procedures. I can assure you, under my watch, that this will not happen again,' Schmid said.
Faber said these new safeguards will better protect the zoo.
A rare wildflower that is only known to grow naturally in Ohio blooms in May
'I have confidence that the people of Ohio can say that the zoo has put its past behind it and has a structure in place that is going to make it much more difficult for somebody to lie, cheat, and steal and get away with it at the zoo,' Faber said.
Faber added that the previous Board of Directors should have noticed something was off with former leadership's spending.
The final report from the auditor included prevention recommendations to the zoo, and Faber said almost every recommendation has been followed.
The full report is available to read by clicking here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Driver leaves scene due to ‘childcare issues' after adult struck on I-670 exit ramp near Downtown, Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A person walking along Interstate 670 exit ramp was struck by an SUV, whose driver had to leave the scene due 'childcare issues', according to police. Officers and Columbus Fire Medic units arrived at the I-670 westbound ramp towards Interstate 71 South Sunday night at 11:15 p.m. and found an adult victim had been hit by a Toyota 4Runner. The driver and two passengers stopped briefly to check on the victim. Central Ohio bitten by price cycling bug at the gas pump The driver of the Toyota said they had childcare issues and had to leave. The passengers stayed behind and reported the crash to authorities. Police said the Toyota was located, with the driver's side mirror missing and damage to the vehicle that matched the damage found at the crash scene. Police did not say if there were any arrests made or charges filed against the driver. The victim was taken to an area hospital and listed in stable condition with a broken leg. The Accident Investigation Unit responded to scene and continue to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Spectrum: Lt. Gov. Tressel; Ohio budget; defense contractor setting up in central Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on The Spectrum: Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel is settling in as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's right-hand man, but will he try to run to replace him? Colleen Marshall sits with the lieutenant governor for an exclusive interview as he weighs a potential run for the governor's mansion. Both property tax relief and a flat state income tax could become a reality if the latest draft of the state budget passes. 'I think it's a very exciting and very bold budget,' State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said. Hear how the budget could affect funding for the state's school districts. Anduril, a cutting-edge defense contractor, is setting up shop in America's heartland. 'Central Ohio is going to be vital to the future of what we do,' Anduril Senior Vice President of Strategy Zachary Mears said. Hear how the business is already making an impact on the war in Ukraine as it prepares to employ thousands of central Ohioans. Democratic strategist Spencer Dirrig and Republican strategist Terry Casey join the roundtable to discuss Tressel's political future in red-state Ohio and the disagreements between the Ohio House and Senate over the budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ohio winner claims $112 million Mega Millions jackpot in trust
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WCMH) — The lucky Ohioan who was the first Mega Millions jackpot winner under the game's new rules has claimed the multi-million dollar prize. The Ohio Lottery announced in a news release that the money won in the April 18, 2025, drawing has been placed in The Ironwood Family Trust, for which James S. Ausse, Esq., is named trustee. The winner had 180 days, or until Oct. 15, 2025, to claim the prize. The ticket, worth $112 million, was purchased at Giant Eagle, 4401 Mayfield Road in South Euclid. According to the lottery, the winner chose their own numbers, which were — 5-13-15-17-28, with the Mega Ball 1. Instead of the 30-year annuity, the winner selected the cash option of $49.3 million. A total of $35.5 million will be placed in the trust after mandatory state and federal taxes of 28%. The overhauled Mega Millions game began on April 5, with the promise of bigger jackpots, better odds and a built-in multiplier that does not cost the player extra money and improves every non-jackpot win by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. The ticket price was raised from $2 to $5 per wager, however, the game was designed to have no break-even prizes, with all winning tickets totaling $10 or more. Additionally, its jackpots start at $50 million. Since joining Mega Millions, Ohio has had 21 Mega Millions jackpot winners and 65 second-tier winners of $1 million or more. The nationwide game is sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, June 6, at 11 p.m. The jackpot amount is currently at $223 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
