Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, has found himself in legal trouble after being sentenced to three years for embezzling more than $240,000 from the city’s funds. The scandalous revelation of his misuse of public money, some of which was spent on purchasing baseball cards, has left the community reeling with shock and disbelief.
The saga unfolded after the vigilant eye of Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel caught wind of irregular financial activities within the Parks and Recreation department in March 2023. Following this discovery, an investigation was promptly launched, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement bodies including the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
What ensued was a startling revelation of Green’s illicit activities, where it came to light that he had siphoned off a staggering $246,000 of public money for his personal indulgence in baseball card purchases from ‘Sport Spot,’ utilizing the city’s credit card. The deceitful superintendent then resorted to selling some of these ill-gotten cards on the online platform eBay. Eventually, Green confessed to his unauthorized use of city funds for these luxuries, sealing his fate further in the eyes of the law.
Initially faced with a multitude of charges including four counts of corrupt business influence, four counts of theft, and one count of official misconduct, Green opted for a plea deal in April 2024. As part of this agreement, he pleaded guilty to one count of theft, resulting in the dismissal of the other charges. The court mandated Green to compensate for his misdeeds by making restitution totaling a hefty sum of $275,628. This included a payment of $100,000 to a bond company and the remaining $175,628 to the city’s coffers.
The final hammer came down during Green’s sentencing, which transpired on a somber Monday. In an attempt to recompense for his crimes, the court stipulated that Green would serve the initial year of his three-year sentence either in jail or under strict work release conditions, followed by a two-year probationary period. This significant punishment serves as a harsh reminder to any potential wrongdoers eyeing public funds for personal gain.
The ripple effects of Green’s actions have reverberated throughout the community, shedding light on the inadequate financial oversight present within Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department. Calls for more stringent controls and oversight mechanisms have emerged, as the city aims to prevent such a scandal from ever occurring again. As the community heals from this breach of trust, it stands united in its resolve to uphold transparency and integrity in its administration.
