Former Columbus zoo CFO pleads guilty to 14 felonies, will testify against co-defendants

Gregory A. Bell, sat with folded hands and a furrowed brow, the first of three former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executives to face a judge for their roles in a conspiracy to steal money from one of Ohio's premier attractions.

Bell, 63, pleaded guilty to all 14 felony counts brought in an indictment including conspiracy, aggravated theft and 11 counts of tampering with records. Bell faces a total of 33 1/2 years in prison and more than $20,000 in fines said Delaware County Common Pleas Judge David M. Gormley, who will determine sentencing at a later date.

When Gormley asked Bell what he did to warrant the charges, Bell began, "I set up a plan to defraud and take money from the Columbus Zoo ... along with other issues," before his attorney Sam Shamansky interrupted to say that both sides had stipulated to Bell's conspiracy to steal money from zoo in "a variety of illegal schemes" between early 2011 into March, 2019.

"Greg has never for one moment denied his role in this unfortunate rip-off," Shamansky said.

Bell may lose his CPA license, and other work privileges and must pay restitution to be determined when Gormley sentences him sometime next year. A sentencing date was set for Feb. 12, but only if the other defendants have their cases resolved.

As part of his plea, Bell agreed to cooperate with state prosecutors and to testify against former CEO Tom Stalf and former marketing director Peter Fingerhut, said Dan Kasaris, special prosecutor for the Ohio Attorney General's office.

The trio of executives allowed their relatives to live in zoo-owned properties at below-market rents, sought tickets and suites to concerts and entertainment events — resources intended for hosting zoo supporters and building donor relations — for themselves and their family members. The losses have been determined to be at least $2.3 million.

Zoo assets were used for personal items, including concert tickets, golf memberships, Amazon purchases, satellite radio subscriptions, vehicles, and a recreational vehicle.

Stalf faces 36 similar charges. Fingerhut is charged with 63 counts including bribery, conspiracy, extortion and money laundering.

After the hearing, Shamansky praised his client for admitting his role and castigated others for allowing it to happen.

"Greg was not only implicated ... not only wrong, legally and morally, but he was the first to stand up and say 'Hey, I'm pleading guilty. I made a mistake and I want to cooperate.'"

Asked for a comment, Bell deferred to his attorney.

"There's a lot of blame here to go around," Shamansky said, citing the zoo's board of trustees.

Asked if similar misconduct and theft happened prior to 2011, Shamansky said "At least to my knowledge, I'm unaware of any other wrongdoing or activity that's been alleged. There's always got to be a start. I believe that '11 is about the time the shenanigans started."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Columbus zoo CFO Greg Bell pleads guilty to felonies