Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced three former executives of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium were indicted for their alleged roles in stealing more than $2.2 million and are accused of using the money for personal benefits. 

What You Need To Know

  • An investigation by the attorney general's Charitable Law and Antitrust sections, as well as the Ohio Auditor's Office, found that they allegedly "bartered, bribed and extorted zoo vendors for goods and services"

  • Examples the investigation found were a pair of zoo tickets had been exchanged for Game 6 of the 2016 World Series, and former Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut is accused of threatening harm to a zoo vendor's business unless he was given a lot of cash

  • The alleged acts occurred between 2011 and 2021, according to the indictment

The indictment names Former Chief Executive Officer Tom Stalf, former Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut and former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell. 

The indictment alleges that for more than a decade, the former executives manipulated check and credit care authorization forms and used the nonprofit's public funds for personal matters. 

According to Yost's office, Franklin County pays about $19 million in taxes annually for the Columbus Zoo.

Yost said the money they allegedly stole had been spent on items like tickets to concerts or sporting events, trips to multiple states, golf memberships, motorcycles and more. 

An investigation by the attorney general's Charitable Law and Antitrust sections, as well as the Ohio Auditor's Office, found that they allegedly "bartered, bribed and extorted zoo vendors for goods and services."

Examples the investigation found were a pair of zoo tickets had been exchanged for Game 6 of the 2016 World Series, and Fingerhut is accused of threatening harm to a zoo vendor's business unless he was given a lot of cash. 

“I’m confident that when the allegations are heard in the court of law, the jury will agree that these former executives of the Columbus Zoo extorted, conspired, bribed and stole over $2 million in public funds for their own benefits,” Yost said. “In simple terms, the bank hired the robbers to work security.”

The alleged acts occurred between 2011 and 2021, according to the indictment.

Stalf faces these 36 felony charges:

  • One count Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
  • Two counts Aggravated Theft
  • Two counts Bribery
  • One count Conspiracy 
  • Six counts Money Laundering 
  • Twenty-two counts Tampering with Records
  • Two counts Telecommunications Fraud

Fingerhut was indicted on these 62 felony charges and a misdemeanor charge: 

  • One count Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
  • Two counts Aggravated Theft
  • Two counts Bribery
  • One count Conspiracy
  • Two counts Extortion
  • Seven counts Money Laundering
  • Thirty-nine counts Tampering with Records
  • Eight counts Telecommunications Fraud
  • One count Falsification

Bell was indicted on these 14 felony charges:

  • One count aggravated theft
  • One count conspiracy
  • Twelve counts tampering with records

An internal investigation of Stalf and Bell's personal use of zoo assets led to their resignations in March of 2021. 

The Columbus Zoo responded to the indictment, saying recent changes in its structure has added toward its goal of rebuilding public trust, increasing transparency and accountability. 

The zoo said the Board of Directors and President and CEO Tom Schmid have worked to "strengthen governance and oversight" and "retained a new auditing firm to conduct its annual audit."

The zoo also said it significantly reduced the size of the Board of the Directors, and along with the restructured organization, it said it's a "better-governed and stronger institution today."

"The Zoo is grateful for the support and trust of the community and looks forward to the bright future knowing that its mission will continue to be the guiding light in all that it does," it stated in a press release. 

Related Stories