Former Columbus Zoo director accused of fraud makes confession – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio

He is one of four former zoo directors charged with fraud as part of the government’s investigation.

According to the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Stalf pleaded guilty to one count each of grand theft, conspiracy and telecommunications fraud, as well as 12 counts of tampering with records.

Stalf agreed to pay more than $315,000 in damages to the Columbus Zoo, the State of Ohio and the IRS, in addition to the $400,000 he had already paid to the zoo.

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As News Center 7 previously reported, Greg Bell, Pete Fingerhut, Tracy Murnane and Grant Bell were also charged as part of the investigation.

In September 2023, former Stalf, former CFO Greg Bell and former marketing director Fungerhut were indicted for allegedly embezzling more than $2.29 million in public funds for their own benefit.

Since then, Bell, Fingerhut and Murnane have pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

The verdict will be announced in September.