![]() It also interviewed Stalf and Bell twice, who were represented by attorneys. The firm interviewed zoo employees, former employees, and some third parties, according to its report. Over a period of two weeks, Porter Wright interviewed 20 witnesses and reviewed hundreds of pages of internal zoo documents. The zoo sold the vehicle this year for $37,000 and Stalf didn't reimburse the zoo for its use. ![]() Instead, the vehicle was stored at an offsite location or Stalf's home. The recreational vehicle purchased for Stalf's exclusive use cost $45,000 and was intended for him to use to attend events at The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation park the zoo manages in Muskingum County. The zoo traded admission tickets in exchange for memberships for Stalf and former zoo Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell at the Wedgewood Country Club, an arrangement that was terminated last week. The zoo sold the other home earlier this year. The amount Bell's daughter paid to live in a three-bedroom, 1,344-square-foot home near the zoo wasn't disclosed, but the report said the zoo paid for utilities, taxes and maintenance. Stalf's in-laws paid $900 a month to live in a three-bedroom, 1,336-square-foot home on the Northwest Side. Stalf and Bell arranged for family members to live in homes owned or controlled by the zoo for years and set the rental prices, another finding from the Dispatch's investigation. In one instance, Bell admitted he caused the zoo to obtain approximately 60 tickets from the Columbus Blue Jackets so his son, who is also a contractor at the zoo, could attend games with his friends. They did not specify in documentation who attended events with them or whether they reimbursed the zoo for these expenses, which included food and drinks. The investigation confirmed what the Dispatch uncovered: For years, Stalf and Bell sought tickets paid for by the zoo's marketing department so their family members could attend various entertainment events for free. In an emailed statement, board Chairman Keith Shumate confirmed the zoo has engaged with a forensic auditor. On Tuesday, the firm suggested the zoo undertake a forensic audit to determine any money that Stalf, Bell and their families should reimburse the zoo. Stalf and Bell resigned March 29 after a Dispatch investigation found that they used zoo assets personally and for the benefit of their families. The findings are among the new revelations detailed in the zoo's first public update about the investigation by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, which it shared Tuesday evening in a written preliminary report.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |