DELAWARE, Ohio — Former Columbus Zoo purchasing agent Tracy Murnane has pleaded guilty to six felonies and two misdemeanors, and is obligated to pay $90,000 in restitution the zoo, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

What You Need To Know

  • Former Columbus Zoo purchasing agent Tracy Murnane has pleaded guilty to six felonies and two misdemeanors

  • Murnane, who was charged in a bill of information filed on May 23, will be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.

  • Fingerhut and two other former zoo executives were indicted in September 2023 on charges of stealing more than $2.29 million in public funds for their own benefit

Murnane, 65, of Westerville, has pleaded guilty to the following in Delaware County Common Pleas Court:

  • One count of grand theft (F4)
  • One count of complicity in the commission of an offense (F4)
  • Two counts of forgery (F4)
  • One count of telecommunications fraud (F5)
  • One count of filing incomplete, false and fraudulent tax returns (F5)
  • Two counts of certificate of title (unclassified misdemeanors)

Murnane, who was charged in a bill of information filed on May 23, will be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. 

Last week, Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty to 16 felonies and is ordered to pay $675,572.65 in restitution.

Fingerhut and two other former zoo executives were indicted in September 2023 on charges of stealing more than $2.29 million in public funds for their own benefit. 

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