Fifth former Columbus Zoo employee charged in $2.3 million scandal

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DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A fifth defendant in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium fraud scandal was charged with theft Friday in an ongoing investigation into $2.3 million in stolen funds.

Grant Bell, a former purchasing assistant for the zoo and the son of former chief financial officer Greg Bell, was charged with the fifth-degree felony in Delaware County Common Pleas Court. According to a news release from Attorney General Dave Yost, Bell is the final defendant in the case.

Bell's charge was filed as part of a bill of information, which is a formal accusation of a crime. It serves the same function as an indictment by grand jury, Yost said. The bill of information alleged Bell was involved with between $1,000 and $7,000 of the total stolen funds.

This is the fewest number of charges anyone connected with the investigation has faced. Three of the other four defendants have already pleaded guilty, with just Tom Stalf, former zoo CEO facing 36 felony charges, awaiting trial. He is scheduled to appear in court starting Aug. 6.

Bell worked closely with Tracy Murnane, a former purchasing agent for the zoo who pleaded guilty to six felony charges and two misdemeanors, according to Yost. Greg Bell pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges. He agreed to repay the zoo $132,000 in a 2022 settlement agreement and Stalf $400,000.

No arraignment date is set yet for Grant Bell.