Buckeye Reporter

A former purchasing agent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for his involvement in a scheme that defrauded the zoo of at least $2.3 million, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.

"The getaway driver is just as guilty as the bank robbers inside," Yost said. "Today's sentence delivers much-needed accountability for another player in the scheme to rip off taxpayers and the zoo."

Tracy Murnane received a sentence that includes 60 days in jail, three years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. He has also 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, 2024, to six felony charges including grand theft, forgery, and telecommunications fraud. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors related to vehicle title transfers.

Murnane is one of four zoo executives indicted following an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Auditor’s Office which revealed that zoo funds were misused for personal gain.

Former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the scheme. Former Chief Executive Officer Tom Stalf pleaded guilty on July 23 and is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 14. Former Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty on July 2 and is set to be sentenced on Oct. 28. A fifth defendant, Grant Bell, who worked with Murnane as a purchasing assistant, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced on Sept. 9 to two years of probation along with an order to pay $8,554.61 in criminal restitution.

In a sentencing memo filed with the court, prosecutors noted that while Murnane profited from defrauding the zoo, he ultimately cooperated with investigators and was prepared to testify against other former executives involved in the scheme.

The prosecution was led by the Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecution Section at the request of Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel.

Steve Irwin can be contacted for media inquiries at 614-728-5417.