The construction company that sued the Columbus Zoo and argued in Ohio Supreme Court that zoo records should be released to the public has dropped its case.
Why it matters: A successful lawsuit would have made new documents available about zoo operations and set a transparency precedent for taxpayer-supported nonprofits in Ohio.
The latest: Plaintiff Meade Construction and the zoo settled outside of court, which granted the business' request to dismiss the case Friday.
Catch up quick: A 2021 forensic audit detailing misspending by former zoo officials suggested a quid pro quo relationship between Meade and former zoo president and CEO Tom Stalf, including over-billing.
- Meade sued in April after the zoo denied a public records request from the company that hoped to "shine a light" on the "false allegations," according to a statement.
The other side: Zoo leaders called the lawsuit a distraction in an April statement.
- They say the nonprofit has followed Ohio law — which only requires release of documents related to a Franklin County property tax levy that funds 20% of its $92 million yearly budget and pays for animal care.
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