Former columbus zoo purchasing agent sentenced in fraud case

DELAWARE, Ohio — A former purchasing agent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail for his involvement in a scheme that defrauded the zoo of over $2.3 million. The sentence, handed down in Delaware County, comes after an investigation revealed a broader conspiracy among zoo officials to misuse funds for personal gain.

Tracy Murnane, the former purchasing agent, was also sentenced to three years of probation and fined $5,000. In addition to his sentence, Murnane has paid $11,000 in civil restitution to the zoo and $90,000 in criminal restitution to both the zoo and the state of Ohio.

Murnane pleaded guilty on July 8 to six felony charges, including grand theft, forgery, and telecommunications fraud. He also admitted to two misdemeanors related to the transfer of vehicle titles.

“Today’s sentence delivers much-needed accountability for another player in the scheme to rip off taxpayers and the zoo,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement.

Murnane is one of four zoo executives indicted following an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Auditor’s Office. The investigation uncovered that zoo funds were diverted for personal use.

Former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell has already been sentenced to three years in prison for his role. Former Chief Executive Officer Tom Stalf and Former Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut both pleaded guilty in July and are awaiting sentencing in October. A fifth defendant, Grant Bell, who worked as Murnane’s purchasing assistant, was sentenced on Sept. 9 to two years of probation and ordered to pay $8,554.61 in restitution.

Prosecutors noted that while Murnane profited from the scheme, he cooperated with investigators and was prepared to testify against other executives involved in the case.

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