Former Columbus Zoo CEO pleads guilty to felony charges

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The former CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pleaded guilty Tuesday to 15 felony charges and agreed to pay an additional $315,000 in restitutions.

Tom Stalf admitted to 12 counts of tampering with records and three single counts of theft by deception, conspiracy and telecommunication fraud, according to Ohio Auditor Keith Faber. He is one of five former Zoo officials involved in a theft investigation over over $2.29 million.

Stalf initially pleaded not guilty in October to the charges implicating him in the misuse of nearly $2.3 million in Zoo funds. He was initially scheduled to begin jury trial on Aug. 6, according to court documents.

Stalf and other Zoo executives were accused of using their positions to attend sporting events, offer housing to family and other personal uses. Stalf was specifically accused of using Zoo funds to purchase a personal RV for $45,000.

According to Faber, Stalf will also pay $315,572.65 in restitutions to cover credit card purchases, Ohio State and Blue Jackets tickets, concert tickets and other personal purchases made with Zoo funds. This restitution payment comes after a previous $400,000 settlement Stalf agreed to pay back to the Zoo in 2021.

Stalf's plea comes just days after a fifth and final employee was charged, former purchasing assistant Grant Bell. Bell is also the son of former chief financial officer Greg Bell, who is also implicated in the theft and pleaded guilty to 14 felony counts last October.

Former marketing director Pete Fingerhut and former purchasing agent Tracy Murnane are each also facing felony charges. Stalf is the third former Zoo employee to plead guilty this month, following Murnane pleading guilty to 14 felony charges, and Fingerhut pleading guilty to 16 charges.

Stalf's sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14.