The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

Episode: Scandal at the Zoo

Hosts: Hannah Smith, Patia Eaton
Guest: Marissa Gibson (Investigator, Ohio Auditor’s Office)
Release Date: January 8, 2026

Overview

This gripping episode dives into the true story of immense financial fraud at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, revealing how top executives misused nonprofit funds for their personal enrichment over a period of nearly a decade. Hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton interview Marissa Gibson, a lead investigator in the case, to uncover how lavish lifestyles and unchecked entitlement led to the unravelling of “the good ol’ boys club” at one of the nation’s most renowned zoos. The episode exposes both the mechanics of white-collar crime and the devastating ripple effects on employees and the institution’s mission—all unraveled, ironically, by one perpetrator’s own tip to the press.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery and Background of the Scandal

• Initial Tip & Investigation

  • The scandal began with an anonymous tip (later revealed to be from one of the perpetrators) to the Columbus Dispatch in 2021, alleging misuse of homes owned by the zoo by senior executives ([03:13]).
  • The Ohio Auditor’s Office takes on the case after the published article raises concern about taxpayer “levy dollars” being misappropriated ([06:16], [06:21]).

• Why Did the Zoo Own Houses?

  • Many zoos, as nonprofits, are gifted properties that can be used for fundraising, staff accommodation, or donors—but the misuse here involved executives giving friends and family free rent ([03:21]).

The Internal Investigation

• Commingling of Funds

  • The investigation quickly found that public funds and the zoo’s general revenue were combined, allowing auditor access to all accounts ([07:28], [07:57]).
  • This opened the door for a deep examination of zoo finances, credit card statements, and purchases.

• Focusing on Four Main Executives

  • The “big four” involved:
    • CEO: Tom Stolf (“The King”)
    • CFO: Greg Bell (“Big Daddy”)
    • Director of Marketing: Pete Fingerhut (“Ticketmaster”)
    • Director of Purchasing: Tracey Murnane
  • All retained high-profile legal defense early on—a red flag for investigators ([09:34], [09:38]).

The Mechanics of the Fraud

• Vehicle Purchase Kickbacks

  • Tracey Murnane (Purchasing Director) funneled $475,000+ by reselling vehicles he acquired through a classic car dealership, Arena Motor Sales, to the zoo, hiding conflicts of interest ([10:03]).

• Lavish Personal Spending

  • Executives used zoo credit cards and barter network deals for:
    • World Series and concert tickets
    • Luxury suites and private catering at events
    • Limousines for proms, party buses for weddings, vacations, luxury watches
    • Country club memberships, meals, and even spouses’ expenses ([16:34], [21:09], [25:03]).

• How Did They Get Away With It?

  • They signed off and approved each other’s expenses; their authority discouraged lower-level employees from asking questions ([18:02], [18:15]).

• Scheme Origins

  • The first fraudulent group purchase was for suites at Garth Brooks concerts in Columbus (approx. $8,000 just for the suite, plus lavish catering) ([28:19]).

Culture & Exposure

• Workplace Culture

  • Employees gave the executives derisive nicknames, resented their entitlement, and felt betrayed ([13:33], [14:35]).
  • Most zoo workers were paid modestly and were genuinely focused on animal welfare and the zoo’s conservation mission.

• E-mails & Evidence

  • Investigators gained full access to the executives’ emails and calendars, revealing transparent discussions about their fraud and attempts to cover it up:
    • “[We are so spoiled. Yes, we are, we are spoiled.]” – Exchange among the three main executives ([23:15]-[24:53]).
  • These communications proved the fraud’s deliberate nature.

The Downfall & Legal Consequences

• Unraveling & Grand Jury

  • Prosecutors built the case on interviews, subpoenas, and damning email evidence.
  • A special grand jury returned a 90-count indictment; the total theft amounted to $2.3 million ([47:03]), with over a million dollars spent on suites and catering at Nationwide Arena alone.

• Sentences and Restitution

  • Tom Stolf (CEO, "The King"): 7 years, ordered to pay $300,000+ restitution, $10,000 fine ([55:33]).
    • Prosecutor: “Stolf was a toxic leader who, quote, allowed the Animal House atmosphere to infect the Columbus Zoo.” ([56:03])
  • Greg Bell (CFO, "Big Daddy"): 3 years, $500,000+ restitution ([57:23]).
  • Pete Fingerhut (Marketing, "Ticketmaster"): 5 years, pled guilty to aggravated theft and fraud ([58:10]).
  • Tracey Murnane (Purchasing): 60 days jail, $100,000 restitution ([56:58]).
  • Grant Bell (son of CFO): Community service, $10,000 restitution ([57:43]).

• Most Shocking Twist: The Whistleblower

  • Pete Fingerhut, one of the main conspirators, was the tipster who sparked the investigation after being let go during COVID.
    • “Pete tipped off the financial crime that he was a part of.” ([51:29], [51:34])
    • “He told on himself is what happened here.” ([52:27], [52:37])

Aftermath and Reforms

• The Columbus Zoo:
  • Appointed a new CEO, Tom Schmid, improving morale and oversight.
  • Scaled down its Board for better communication and accountability.
  • Ensured animal care was never jeopardized during the fraud ([49:20]).
  • The prosecution considered, but did not indict, board members for lapses in oversight ([59:29]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Power and Entitlement

  • “These men were very entitled and they did what they want and they felt that they were above the law.”
    — Marissa Gibson ([14:56])

• On Fraud Culture

  • “It was never for anyone else. It was, it was for them from the very beginning.”
    — Marissa Gibson ([36:06])

• On Evidence

  • “They discussed everything over email as if nobody would ever see it... Those are going to be some of our best pieces of evidence.”
    — Marissa Gibson ([23:16])

• On the Whistleblower

  • “No, Pete... Pete tipped off the financial crime that he was a part of.”
    — Marissa Gibson ([51:26]-[51:34])

• Prosecutorial Language

  • “Stolf was a toxic leader who, quote, allowed the Animal House atmosphere to infect the Columbus Zoo.”
    — From sentencing memorandum ([56:03])

• On the Scandal’s Scope

  • “The amount spent on catering, additional concert tickets, suites, everything, all together, that was over a million dollars of zoo's money just for these men and their personal entertainment.”
    — Marissa Gibson ([51:31], echoed [38:21], [38:23])

Timeline Timestamps (Highlights)

• [03:13] — Origins of the tip and initial misuse of houses
• [07:28]-[07:57] — Investigation into financial commingling and access
• [10:03]-[12:22] — Tracey Murnane’s vehicle scheme explained
• [13:33]-[14:35] — Nicknames and workplace culture
• [16:34]-[18:31] — Personal and fraudulent spending details
• [21:09]-[22:31] — Barter network exploitation
• [23:04]-[24:53] — Revelatory emails and attitude
• [25:03]-[26:07] — Country club grift and further false records
• [28:19]-[30:32] — How it all started: Garth Brooks concert suites
• [36:06] — No attempt to legitimize suite usage for donors
• [38:21]-[38:23] — Over $1 million spent on entertainment
• [47:03]-[48:20] — Scope of indictment and sentencing details
• [51:26]-[52:37] — Whistleblower twist (Pete tips off the press)
• [55:33]-[58:48] — Final sentences and aftermath

Tone and Style

• The hosts are empathetic, occasionally incredulous, and conversational, often reflecting on both the audacity of the fraud and the harm to front-line workers.
• Marissa Gibson delivers complex forensic details in clear, accessible language, peppered with memorable anecdotes and quotes.

Final Thoughts

This episode illuminates how unchecked power and weak internal controls can lead to years of fraud, even in the most unexpected places—like a beloved local zoo. Thanks to a bizarre twist of self-incrimination and thorough forensic accounting, justice was served for a case that might never have come to light.

Quote to remember:
“$2.3 million is so much—imagine if that had gone to bonuses. Probably would have been life changing for people for sure.”
— Patia Eaton ([55:23])

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