Grant Bell Sentenced in Columbus Zoo Scandal

Grant Bell, a former purchasing assistant at the Columbus Zoo and son of the zoo's ex-CFO Greg Bell, has been sentenced to two years of community control and ordered to pay $8,554 in restitution for his involvement in a $2.3 million theft scheme. Grant misused zoo assets for personal expenses, including a vacation and satellite radio. His father, Greg Bell, received a three-year prison sentence for his role in the fraud, while other zoo executives, including former CEO Tom Stalf, are facing felony charges and scheduled sentencing. Grant was the last of five defendants charged in the case, having pleaded guilty in July. The zoo's spokesperson emphasized the betrayal of trust, stating that the stolen funds were meant for animal care and conservation programs. The broader scandal has exposed significant financial misconduct among top zoo officials.