Former Columbus Zoo Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut sentenced [Video]

As part of the plea agreement, Fingerhut will pay more than $675,000 in restitution.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s former marketing director was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for his role in misusing zoo funds and resources.

Pete Fingerhut, three other former zoo executives and a former purchasing assistant for the zoo were accused of having defrauded the zoo of at least $2.3 million. State investigators said the money was spent on suites and tickets to concerts and sporting events, golf memberships, trips to other states and countries, food, alcohol and motor vehicles.

Fingerhut was accused of manipulating credit card and check authorization forms for over a decade and using the zoo’s public funds for personal use.

He initially pleaded not guilty in October 2023 to 62 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge.

In July, Fingerhut changed his plea and pleaded guilty to 16 felony counts and one misdemeanor. The charges include …