Who is Cy Vierstra? ‘Chimp Crazy’ reveals ex-fiscal officer's $127K spree on owls, and a wildebeest
VINTON COUNTY, OHIO: 'Chimp Crazy' Episode 3 unveils that Tonia Haddix received help from Cy Vierstra in hiding Tonka after a court ordered her to surrender the animal to a sanctuary. The Vinton County resident once served as a fiscal officer, who was found guilty of misusing public funds for his expenses and maintaining his wildlife center.
In the docuseries directed by Eric Goode, he mentioned that Vierstra provided shelter to Tonka for six months after Haddix told the authorities that the chimp had died. Haddix came into contact with Vierstra through Connie Casey, the former owner of Tonka.
Cy Vierstra stole township funds to buy random things in auctions
While serving as the fiscal officer for Vinton Township in Vinton County, he developed an obsession with buying things in auctions for which he began using the public funds, believing that nobody would notice. He bought random things like five hot tubs, gazebos, drum sets, drones, kayaks, popcorn carts, snow cone machines, etc.
At Union Ridge Wildlife Centre in Ohio, he housed several exotic and wild animals including a chimp named Ricky who died of liver failure. Haddix contacted him to give shelter to Tonka to show people that the chimp belonged to Vierstra.
For his Wildlife center, Vierstra purchased exotic animals such as wildebeest and two snow owls from England. He also spent public money to fund his wildlife center.
Cy Vierstra was charged with stealing township funds
The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint that Vierstra was misusing township funds for his personal use. It was found that he would create fake invoices and other fraudulent documents to hide his illegal activities from 2016 to 2020.
He made a total of 812 debit card transactions totaling $127,204 on an auction website. He stole a total of $287,565, as per Roadside Zoo News.
In October 2021, Cy Vierstra faced 12 felony charges and one misdemeanor for misusing his role as Vinton Township Fiscal Officer to embezzle township funds.
Where is Cy Vierstra now?
In February 2023, Cy Vierstra was sentenced to four years in prison for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, along with an additional 11 months for theft in office, with sentences to be served consecutively. He was also ordered to pay $340,000 in restitution, plus court costs.
He is currently serving his sentence in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, as per Roadside Zoo News. Vierstra appeared in Eric Goode's docuseries before he was convicted.
How to stream 'Chimp Crazy'?
'Chimp Crazy' is directed and produced by Eric Goode, a conservationist and Emmy-nominated filmmaker, best known for 'Tiger King'.
The four-part docuseries premiered on HBO on August 18. It is now available to stream on Max. You can stream it by purchasing or renewing your membership to Max which is priced at $9.99/month.
'Chimp Crazy' trailer