Lowry Park zoo director under investigation

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- An audit of the director of the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa shows he overcharged the zoo for animals he sold them and took items belonging to the zoo to his private property.

Auditor Roger Strout says zoo director Lex Salisbury owes the zoo $150,000 for pens and monkey cages built on his property and charged to the zoo. Salisbury also took items donated to the zoo, including plants and electrical poles, to his property. Salisbury is on a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.

Recently a national zoo association suspended the zoo's accreditation.

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