DELAWARE — The former marketing director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who pleaded guilty to 16 felonies, was sentenced to five years in prison today for his role in a scheme that defrauded the zoo of at least $2.3 million, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. On July 2, Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty to […]
Dave Yost
Posted inNews
Mansfield, Galion, Nova & Willard men arrested in Ohio human trafficking sting
COLUMBUS – A statewide human-trafficking operation conducted last week by more than 100 law enforcement agencies ended in the arrest of 132 people who sought to buy sex – including some exchanges involving minors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Monday. “We have to attack this scourge by curbing the demand,” Yost said. “This operation […]
Posted inOpinion
Yost: Ohio among 16 states challenging Biden administration on blanket amnesty for illegal aliens
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and his counterparts in 15 other states are suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the Biden administration’s latest attempt to grant amnesty to illegal aliens through executive action, a move that flagrantly violates federal law. The lawsuit challenges the department’s recent “parole-in-place” program, which seeks to provide blanket […]
Posted inNews
Former Columbus Zoo executive sentenced to 3 years in prison for fraud
DELAWARE — A former chief financial officer for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was sentenced to three years in prison Monday for his role in a broader scheme that defrauded the zoo of at least $2.3 million, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. “Greg Bell caved to temptation to enrich himself and his family at […]
Posted inBusiness
Ohio AG hails court ruling that Google is a monopoly
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has applauded what he deemed “a significant victory” in the ongoing battle to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace. A federal court has found that Google is a monopolist and has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by unlawfully maintaining its monopoly. This is a significant […]
Posted inNews
Ohio Attorney General files complaints against Wayne & Delaware County vape shops
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Tuesday he has launched a campaign to combat the influx of illegal vaping devices flooding Ohio communities. The initiative is aimed at protecting young people from addiction, respiratory problems and other severe health risks associated with these products, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office stated. “You don’t have […]
Posted inNews
Former Columbus Zoo purchasing agent pleads guilty
DELAWARE — A former purchasing agent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium must pay $90,000 in restitution to the zoo after pleading guilty this morning to six felonies and two misdemeanors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. Tracy Murnane, 65, of Westerville, pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to: Murnane, who was charged in […]
Posted inNews
Former Columbus Zoo Marketing Director pleads guilty in $675K fraud case
DELAWARE — With a trial date looming, the former marketing director for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pleaded guilty Tuesday to 16 felony counts and one misdemeanor, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. As part of the plea agreement, Pete Fingerhut will pay $675,572.65 in restitution. The amount includes money to be paid to the […]
Posted inNews
Coshocton County man sentenced in gift-card counterfeit scheme
COSHOCTON — A Chinese citizen linked to a major gift-card counterfeiting operation that targeted Coshocton-area consumers has been sentenced to four to six years in prison for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. Ming Xue, 32, of Hunan, in the Fujian Province, also faced 308 felony counts of counterfeiting, […]
Posted inBusiness
Ohio AG honors Domestic Violence Shelter’s Donnenworth with Denton award
MANSFIELD — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has honored Director of Community-Based Services at The DV Shelter Jill Donnenworth with the Robert Denton Special Achievement Award. The award, which was announced on Tuesday, was established to recognize an individual with at least five years of experience in the field of victim assistance who has demonstrated leadership in […]