Ohio man used more than $300K in taxpayer money for wildebeest, hot tubs, roadside zoo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A fiscal officer in Ohio went on an unusual spending spree for five years on the taxpayer's dime, a state audit report shows.

Cyril S. Vierstra, of Wilkesville, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on corruption charges.

This was an abuse of the public trust at its worst,” Auditor of State Keith Faber said. “Public funds that were supposed to be used for roads and bridges and needed services instead were stolen to buy kayaks, a popcorn cart, a swimming pool, a drum set, gazebos – the list goes on and on.”

The Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit identified more than $310,000 in misappropriated Township expenses, with multiple purchases for a roadside zoo created by Viestra.

Investigators caught on to purchases from the township's debit and credit card going to Union Ridge Wildlife Center in 2020. State records showed Vierstra's name on the business.

A search warrant by multiple state agencies yielded a golf cart, riding lawn mower, animal rescue trailer, and six vinyl windows awaiting installation in a building under construction for the wildlife center.

After that, the state auditor began its audit. Auditors totaled $311,608 in misspent funds by Viestra, who was elected in 2014.

The state's report showed the fraudulent transactions beginning in 2016 with $592 spent. That number jumped to $2,501 in 2017.

Spending spiked dramatically during the next three years:

• $69,654 in 2018
• $81,179 in 2019
• $66,942 in 2020

Investigators said Vierstra planned to create the zoo and start a lodging service through Airbnb at his home. He created false documents, which included invoices, written statements, and trustee meeting minutes to mislead others.

Here are some of the purchases noted by the audit:

• Five hot tubs
• Wildebeest
• Two snow owls from England
• Windows for a primate exhibit to be built
• Gazebos
• Generators
• Greenhouses
• Custom built enclosures

Vierstra also bought personal items, such as electronic devices and video games, sandals, and more.

He pleaded guilty in October 2022 to felony counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office, and tampering with records, plus a misdemeanor count of dereliction of duty.

He was later sentenced in February 2023 in Vinton County Common Pleas Court to four years and 11 months in prison and ordered to pay $339,717.86 in restitution, which included funds he stole and audit costs.