For those who haven’t read the entire 100-page indictment against three former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium officials, here is a summary of what was allegedly misspent by Thomas E. Stalf, former zoo CEO; Peter A. Fingerhut, former marketing director and Gregory A. Bell, former chief financial officer:
More than $1 million at Nationwide Arena, Schottenstein Center
Mostly for Columbus Blue Jacket hockey games, including on Oct. 3, 2014 — a $45,000 tab — and on Aug. 2, 2013, $10,000. Each event involved larger group outings. Many of the games were in club suites that would have provided food and beverages.
The games were paid using American Express, Chase and Huntington bank cards.
There were dozens of events at the Schottenstein Center, for basketball, concerts and more. On Sept. 1, 2017, a $27,000 payment was made to the Ohio State University Foundation, the fundraising arm of the university. It is unclear what this was for and what, if anything, was received in return.
A Dispatch investigation in 2021 uncovered the problems which focused on two homes on zoo property, remodeled using more than $80,000 in zoo funds, and then rented out to relatives of Stalf and Bell for less than market value.
Read More:Columbus Zoo reviewing use of zoo-owned houses for family of executives
But the attorney general’s probe dug even deeper, revealing a complex web or fraud, deceit and coverup.
