Fifth former Columbus Zoo executive pleads guilty to theft

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DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – The last of five former Columbus Zoo officials involved in a theft investigation in which over $2.29 million was stolen has pleaded guilty.

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. Monday morning at his arraignment hearing he pleaded guilty.

Bell’s charge was filed as part of a bill of information, which is a formal accusation of a crime. The bill of information alleged Bell was involved with between $1,000 and $7,000 of the total stolen funds. He told the judge he used the funds to take a trip and to put a satellite radio in his wife's car. He also apologized.

His guilty plea marks the fifth and final defendant to do so. Tom Stalf, former zoo CEO facing 36 felony charges, 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. 

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.

Earlier this month, Tracy Murnane, 65, of Westerville, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including grand theft, telecommunications fraud, forgery, and more. A former purchasing agent, Murnane was accused of using stolen zoo funds to purchase cars and attend events at Nationwide Arena and the Schottenstein Center.

Former marketing director Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges. His jury trial was slated to begin on July 9 after his initial October plea of not guilty. And Greg Bell pleaded guilty to one charge each of conspiracy and theft and 12 of tampering with records.

They all have been ordered to pay full restitution in the following amounts:

• Tom Stalf, $315,572.65 
• Pete Fingerhut, $600,000
• Tracy Murnane, $90,000
• Greg Bell, sentencing pending
• Grant Bell, sentencing pending

All five defendants were ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $600,000 in a 2022 settlement.