Former Columbus Zoo chief financial officer Greg Bell was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the zoo of more than $2 million.
Bell pleaded guilty in October 2023 to 14 felony counts related to the theft of the funds including aggravated theft, conspiracy and tampering with records.
Delaware County Common Pleas Judge David Gormley also ordered Bell to pay $583,697 in criminal restitution.
Bell is among four former zoo executives who have pleaded guilty to charges related to the scheme. Former zoo CEO Tom Stalf, former zoo marketing director Pete Fingerhut and former zoo purchasing agent Tracy Murnane have yet to be sentenced.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office said that as a part of his plea, Bell agreed to cooperate with the investigation and testify against the other former officials. The office led the investigation.
“Greg Bell caved to temptation to enrich himself and his family at the zoo’s expense,” Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. “Let today’s sentence be a warning to those who would dare to rip off taxpayers.”
Bell's lawyer, Sam Shamansky, said he and his client were "extraordinarily relieved but not surprised" by the sentence.
Shamansky said Bell faced a potential maximum sentence of 33 years.
"Greg looks forward to repaying his debt to society," Shamansky said.
