Tom Stalf, the former CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to 15 felony charges related to the theft of nearly $2.3 million. The sentence was handed down by a Delaware County Court of Common Pleas judge on Monday, following Stalf’s admission to 12 counts of tampering with records, theft by deception, conspiracy, and telecommunications fraud. In addition to his prison sentence, Stalf will be required to serve 18 to 36 months of community control after his release.
The theft, which involved funds from the Columbus Zoo, was discovered as part of an ongoing investigation that implicated Stalf and several other former zoo executives. Stalf had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2023, but he eventually changed his plea, admitting to the misuse of funds over several years. Among the allegations were that Stalf and his colleagues had used zoo funds for personal gain, including attending sporting events, providing housing for family members, and purchasing an RV for $45,000.
In addition to Stalf, other former zoo officials have also been convicted in connection with the theft. Tracy Murnane, the zoo’s former purchasing agent, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including grand theft and telecommunications fraud, and was sentenced to two months in jail last month. Pete Fingerhut, the zoo’s former marketing director, also pleaded guilty to felony charges and had a sentencing hearing scheduled for later in the year.
Greg Bell, another former official, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy and theft and 12 counts of tampering with records. He was sentenced to three years in prison. Grant Bell, the final individual implicated in the scandal, was also sentenced in the previous month.
As part of their convictions, all five former zoo officials were ordered to pay restitution. Stalf is required to repay $315,572.65, while Fingerhut must pay $675,572.65, Greg Bell owes $583,697.44, Murnane is responsible for $101,000, and Grant Bell must repay $8,554.61. In addition, the defendants collectively agreed to pay around $600,000 in a 2022 settlement.
The case sheds light on the misuse of public funds by individuals in positions of trust, highlighting the severe consequences of financial misconduct within nonprofit organizations.