Ex-Columbus Zoo executive pleads guilty in alleged theft of $2 million

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of the ex-Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executives who was set to face a jury trial in connection with the theft of $2.3 million has pleaded guilty.

Former marketing director Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges on Tuesday in Delaware County Common Pleas Court. His jury trial was slated to begin on July 9 after his initial October plea of not guilty.

Fingerhut pleaded guilty to 16 charges including aggravated theft, conspiracy, tampering with records, telecommunications fraud, and falsification. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23. He will also pay more than $675,000 in restitution to the zoo and in back taxes as part of his plea agreement.

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Three other ex-executives for the Columbus Zoo along with Fingerhut were accused of misusing more than $2 million in zoo funds for more than a decade. A 2021 investigation by the law firm Porter Wright alleged that the suspects misused zoo funds to attend sporting events, allow family members to live in zoo-owned houses, award a no-bid contract for construction at The Wilds, and make other personal purchases.

Former CEO Tom Stalf is set to have his trial begin on Aug. 6, former chief financial officer Gregory Bell pleaded guilty in October and is set to be sentenced in February, and former purchasing agent Tracy Murnane is set to be arraigned on July 8.

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