The report by Ohio Details Columbus Zoo, which led to prison terms of former managers

Columbus -Auditor of the State of Keith Faber published a special examination on Tuesday about the investigation of the theft of 2.3 million US dollars on Columbus Zoo resources by former employees, which led to criminal convictions and prison terms for the TOP leaders involved.

The final report, which is available online at OhioAuditor.gov/auditsecearch/search.aspx, describes the results of the Auditor of the Special Investigations Unit (SiU) in five former Columbus Zoo employees, the Zoo holidays for holidays, vehicles, concerts, sporting events and other personal enrichment between 2011 and 2021.

“We are grateful for everyone who was involved in taking these five people in court and closing an ugly chapter in one of Central Ohio's true jewels,” said Auditor Faber. “The history of the Columbus zoo and the aquarium continues with a revised board structure, improved financial supervision and other protective measures that were not yet present.

“I assume that the zoo and other non -profit organizations receive public funds to continuously check and improve their financial controls to ensure that public resources are used appropriately.”

During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Auditor Faber came to Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa A. Sischel and the President and Chief Executive Officer from Columbus Zoo, Tom Schmid, where they discussed the results and recommendations of the special examination and changes that were already carried out as response from the Zoo.

“We appreciate the detailed report on what was going on and the administrative recommendations,” Schmid and Dan Gusty, chairman of the Zoo board, wrote in response to the special audit.

“In almost every respect we are a stronger institution today. We are better governed, and with a new leadership of the executive, we have developed courageous plans for a successful future for this institution and for wild animals.

“We welcome the final report of the public office's auditor and thank you for your care when examining these misconduct.”

The joint examination of the Columbus zoo by Siu and the office of the Attorney General in Ohio was brought to light after an article in Columbus shipping. The final report on Tuesday describes the lack of abuse of zoo resources and plans to hide the illegal activities.

Former managers used the Lax supervision to enrich themselves, concert and sporting ticket tickets and country club memberships, vacation and convert zoo real estate that were rented to family members under the market prices.

In a program, ownership of five vehicles sold to the zoo was hidden, with the profit of one of the five employees who were ultimately condemned in stones.

In another case, a leisure vehicle that was allegedly bought for zoo purposes was used by a manager for a family vacation and the visitors in his house.

The report on Tuesday contains e -mails between the people who carried out their attempts to use their activities and receipts for improper purchases.

“These crimes were brazen and lasted for years,” said Auditor Faber.

The evidence collected by SIU and through the joint investigation at the General Prosecutor's office led to convictions of the five people involved:

• Former managing director Thomas Stalf guilty of 15 crimes, including severe theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud and manipulations of the records. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, sentenced and ordered with a fine of $ 10,000 to pay a refund of $ 31572.65.
• The former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell owed 14 crimes, including severe theft, conspiracy and manipulation of the records. He was sentenced to three years in prison, sentenced and commanded with a fine of 10,000 US dollars to pay a refund of $ 583,697.44.
• Former marketing director Peter Fingerhut guilty of 16 crimes, including severe theft, conspiracy, manipulations with records and telecommunications fraud as well as an offense of the fake. He was sentenced to five years in prison, sentenced and commanded with a fine of 10,000 US dollars to pay a reimbursement of $ 639.33.
• The former purchase director Tracy Murnane is guilty of six crimes, including Grand Theft, Complicity in the Commission for Criminal offense, forgery, telecommunications fraud and incomplete, false and fraudulent returns as well as two offense certificates of the title figures. His prison sentence included 60 days in prison, a fine of 5,000 US dollars and an order for reimbursement of 90,000 US dollars.
• Grant Bell, a former coordinator for buying logistics, is guilty of counting a crime of theft, and was sentenced to two years of community control and 40 hours of non -profit services and was punished with a fine of $ 1,000 and sentenced to payment of $ 8,554.61.

The Tuesday report recommends increasing supervision and control over financial transactions and companies as well as an increasing tasks of the tasks in the zoo. In their official answer, Schmid and Gusty stated that the zoo implemented the most recommendations.

The Special Investigations Unit has supported 137 convictions since 2019, which led to a reimbursement of more than 13 million US dollars (see Map of the SIU judgment since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of alleged fraud peaks every year. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via the SiU fraud hotline under 866-frag-oh (866-372-8364).

Further information can be found on the website of the auditor of the state website at Ohioauditor.gov/fraud/zoo-investigation.html