![]() The levy brings in about $19 million annually to the zoo, according to a 2019 financial statement provided to Franklin County. The zoo is a nonprofit organization, but it also receives levy support from Franklin County taxpayers. View Gallery: Photos of Columbus Zoo CEO and Chief Operating Officer Tom Stalf ![]() ![]() The zoo commented on the matter in its Monday statement, saying "The board understands that the Ohio Ethics Commission is considering a review of this matter and if so, the zoo will cooperate with their work." The commission was reviewing whether the zoo is a public agency subject to its investigative jurisdiction, the commission's executive director said earlier this month. The Ohio Ethics Commission has also been considering an investigation into zoo executives and examining whether they violated Ohio law by using zoo assets personally. Most of the tickets requested were available through the zoo's marketing contracts with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ohio State University, and were intended for hosting zoo supporters and building donor and sponsor relations. Internal zoo emails showed Stalf and Bell sought the use of the zoo's suites and tickets to local entertainment venues for themselves and their family members between 20. The homes were not advertised for rent or offered to outsiders or other zoo employees. Zoo officials refused to provide copies of the zoo's written lease agreements or share how much rent it charged family members. Zoo officials said the homes in question were leased for below-market rent in exchange for the residents making improvements to the property. "I encourage all team members to move beyond this distraction and concentrate on the important work that you are doing for our organization. This is a critical time for all of us to focus on recovery, rebuilding, and moving forward." "I ask for your support of Jerry as he returns to lead the organization and for your patience while we search for new leadership," Shumate said in the email. The board met Monday afternoon to "discuss internal procedures and other policy matters to identify areas for improvement in the oversight of key financial areas to protect the organization’s integrity and resources," Shumate's email to zoo staff said. Zoo finance director Jennifer Bonifas will take over chief financial officer duties in the interim, the zoo's statement said. The board will begin a national search for a new CEO immediately, according to Shumate's email and the zoo's statement. Jerry Borin: Three things to know about Columbus Zoo's interim executive director When Hanna became director emeritus and stepped away from the zoo's day-to-day operations, Borin took over as executive director until 2008. Borin was previously general manager of the zoo, under Jack Hanna, from 1985 to 1992. Former Columbus Zoo director Jerry Borin comes out of retirementįormer Zoo Executive Director and Director Emeritus Jerry Borin agreed to come out of retirement to serve as the zoo's interim executive director, Shumate's email said. The group did not publicly discuss any severance for Bell.Ĭalls to Stalf and Bell were not immediately returned Monday evening. The board approved the motion 21 to six, with eight members not present. Both Stalf and Bell's voluntary resignations are effective immediately.Īfter more than two hours in executive session, the zoo board reconvened in public session, where board member Rustin Moore introduced a motion not to extend any severance pay to Stalf, "based upon the evidence presented to us today." The firm reported its findings to the zoo board Monday evening, according to a statement provided by zoo spokeswoman Nicolle Gomez Racey. A committee of board members then recommended hiring outside counsel to investigate, and the board hired Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP to conduct the review. Questions from The Dispatch sparked an internal review by the zoo's board of directors. ![]() Stalf, 52, and Bell, 61, allowed relatives to live in houses owned or controlled by the zoo, and sought zoo tickets for their family members to attend various entertainment events, a Dispatch investigation found. The zoo is a taxpayer-supported nonprofit organization. Their resignations follow a Dispatch report earlier this month on their personal use of zoo resources and a subsequent independent investigation ordered by the zoo board. ![]() Tom Stalf, who has led the zoo as CEO since 2013, and Greg Bell, chief financial officer, both stepped down, according to an internal email sent to zoo staff Monday from the zoo's board of directors chairman Keith Shumate.ĭispatch investigation: Columbus Zoo reviewing use of zoo-owned houses for family of executives The top two executives of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have resigned after an investigation by The Dispatch into their personal use of zoo assets. ![]()
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