Former Columbus Zoo Purchasing Agent Sentenced for Fraud

DELAWARE, Ohio — A former purchasing agent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail for his role in a fraud that defrauded the zoo of more than $2.3 million. The sentence, handed down in Delaware County, comes after an investigation uncovered a broader conspiracy among zoo officials to misuse funds for personal gain.

Tracy Murnane, a former purchasing agent, was also sentenced to three years of probation and fined $5,000. In addition to the sentence, Murnane paid $11,000 in civil damages to the zoo and $90,000 in punitive damages to both the zoo and the state of Ohio.

Murnane pleaded guilty on July 8 to six felony charges, including theft, forgery and telecommunications fraud. He also admitted two misdemeanor charges relating to transferring vehicle titles.

“Today’s sentencing provides much-needed accountability to another player in the conspiracy to defraud taxpayers and the zoo,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement.

Murnane is one of four zoo directors charged after an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Auditor’s Office found that zoo funds were diverted for personal purposes.

Former CFO Greg Bell has already been sentenced to three years in prison for his role. Former CEO Tom Stalf and former CMO Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty in July and are awaiting sentencing in October. A fifth defendant, Grant Bell, who worked as Murnane’s purchasing assistant, was sentenced Sept. 9 to two years of probation and ordered to pay $8,554.61 in restitution.

Prosecutors noted that while Murnane profited from the fraud, he cooperated with investigators and was willing to testify against other executives involved.

27 arrested in Maryland search

CUMBERLAND, MD – A coordinated search operation in Allegany County on Monday resulted in multiple arrests and the serving of several warrants throughout the region. Agencies involved included the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland City Police Department, Maryland State Police, Maryland Warrant Arrest Unit and the Allegany County Jail.

The operation resulted in 27 warrants, two criminal summonses, and four arrests for controlled dangerous substances (CDS). Jeremiah Daniel Martin, 40, of Cumberland, was arrested on two District Court warrants for violating probation following a conviction for second-degree assault and possession of CDS.

Timothy Bobby Miller Jr., 36, of Cumberland, was served with three bench warrants on various charges, including possession of CDS with intent to distribute, a handgun violation and a probation violation. Daniel Erwin Smith II, 34, of Cumberland, was charged with possession and distribution of CDS.

Other arrests included Michael Shawn Fear and Sincere Jayvon Unique Issac, both of Cumberland, who were held without bail pending the outcome of a bond application on multiple charges, including harassment via electronic communications and various CDS-related offenses.
Stafford Police Note: Here’s What’s Going On

STAFFORD, VA – The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has released a report detailing various crimes that have recently occurred in the county.

On Saturday, a Maple Street resident reported a kidnapping to Deputy RM Dunn after receiving a call saying her aunt had been kidnapped. Deputy Dunn’s investigation determined the claim was fraudulent because the aunt was safe at work.

Late Saturday evening, employees at the Dalo Motors dealership on Richmond Highway reported a theft at 11:06 p.m. Deputy JJ Suh arrived on scene and found an unknown male who had stolen the keys and driven away in a Hyundai Sonata.

That same day at 1:24 p.m. Deputy FC O’Neill responded to Rivermont School on Pulte Drive in reference to a theft. A catalytic converter had been stolen from a school bus.

That same evening, Deputy Sheriff RT Philippsen was called to the 7-Eleven on Richmond Highway at 7:07 p.m. Staff reported that a suspect had stolen over $1,800 worth of lottery ticket rolls.
Gang of shoplifters arrested after police standoff in Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – Gloucester Borough Police arrested a group of shoplifters accused of multiple thefts after an incident involving an assault on an officer at Gloucester Premium Outlets.

On Sunday, Gloucester Township Police were investigating a group of serial shoplifters believed to be from Pennsylvania. Officers were conducting surveillance at Gloucester Premium Outlets and observed the suspects stealing from two stores. As the suspects were returning to their vehicle, an officer attempted to detain one female suspect.

The two remaining male suspects fled in a vehicle, striking the officer with the door and striking a police vehicle. The vehicle was stopped by officers on Robert E. Kelly Boulevard and two adult males were taken into custody. The officer suffered minor injuries, was treated and released from the hospital.

Chief David Harkins praised the officers and loss prevention specialists for their efforts. “I am very proud of the hard work and investigative efforts of our officers and loss prevention specialists in putting an end to the criminal activity of this crew,” Harkins said. “As a result of the quick actions of our officers, no one else was injured.”