Third former Columbus zoo official pleads guilty to crimes from theft scandal
A third of four Columbus and Zoo and Aquarium officials pleaded guilty Monday morning to six felony charges related to theft and misappropriation of public zoo funds.
Tracy Murnane, the zoo's former director of purchasing, arrived in Delaware County Common Pleas Court with $90,000 for restitution, $60,000 of which was to be paid directly to the zoo, with the balance to the Ohio Auditor's office.
Murnane faced charges of grand theft, complicity to commit theft, forgery, telecommunication fraud and two counts related to so-call title skipping for purchase and rehabilitation of several classic cars that were sold to third parties for profit without having title. He also pleaded to two misdemeanor charges.
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When sentenced on Sept. 23, Judge David Gormley could impose up to 8 1/2 years in prison.
Attorney Bradley Barbin said his client admitted to all the offenses and didn't directly profit from the array of free tickets, luxury suites for concerts and sporting events or other zoo assets that Gregory Bell, Peter Fingerhut or Thomas Stalf did when they were chief financial officer, marketing director and president/CEO, respectively.
"Employees need to know, when their bosses say to them 'Would you help me line my pockets?' you just have to say no. And if you don't, you're going to end up holding the bag," Barbin said.
Murnane is accused of selling personal cars to the zoo using a straw seller and personally profiting, attending special events with tickets purchased by the zoo, and booking a party bus for his son’s wedding with zoo resources, according to the auditor.
Barbin said that as early as four years ago, Murnane began paying back funds that he knew were being misspent. And that he's agreed, as have Bell and Fingerhut, to provide prosecutors new details, many of which will be used against Stalf, considered the kingpin in the zoo scandal, and the only defendant who has yet to plead guilty.
Dan Kasaris, senior assistant Ohio Attorney General, who is the lead prosecutor, agreed that Murnane has been cooperative.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus zoo's Tracy Murnane pleaded guilty to theft, other felonies
