DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — One of the three former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executives accused of misusing funds and resources pleaded guilty on Thursday.
Greg Bell, a former chief financial officer, was indicted in September on 12 counts of tampering with evidence and one count each of aggravated theft and conspiracy. Bell pleaded guilty to those charges.
The zoo's former CEO Tom Stalf and former director of marketing Pete Fingerhut were also indicted last month. According to the indictment, the former executives manipulated credit card and check authorization forms for more than a decade, using the nonprofit’s public funds for personal use.
According to a report from 2021, Stalf, Bell, Fingerhut and former Director of Purchasing Tracy Murnane used zoo assets to pay for personal items such as sporting events, concert tickets, electronics and other goods.
In addition, Bell allegedly let family members live in houses controlled by the zoo and got them tickets for entertainment events.
Bell's attorney Sam Shamansky said Bell is guilty but takes full responsibility for his actions.
"He feels a great sense of remorse for what he's done and he feels remorse for letting down members of the community, his zoo family and people to whom he's close," Shamansky said.
The former employees allegedly lost more than $630,000 and misusing zoo resources in 2021. Bell is responsible for losing at least $139,000. An investigation revealed that the crimes allegedly took place between 2011 and 2021 and resulted in the theft of approximately $2.29 million.
Bell and Murmane agreed to pay back a total of $143,000, according to the zoo.
Zoo officials confirmed in March 2022 that the Board of Directors approved a $400,000 settlement with Stalf. As of early 2022, a settlement with the final official, Fingerhut, had not yet been reached.
Bell has agreed to fully cooperate in the investigation, to testify and, if asked, to assist the state with prosecuting the others involved.
Bell's sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 2024.
Stalf and Bell voluntarily resigned from his position in 2021. Tom Schmid filled the role formerly held by Stalf in October 2021.