Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, found himself in hot water after being convicted of embezzling over $240,000 from city funds. His extravagant spending spree led him to purchase a staggering amount of baseball cards, creating a scandal that has shaken the town to its core.
The scandal emerged when Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel initiated an investigation in March 2023, alarmed by the discovery of suspicious financial transactions. Working closely with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the truth behind Green’s illicit activities was swiftly brought to light.
Using the city’s credit card, Green shamelessly splurged approximately $246,000 on baseball cards from ‘Sport Spot.’ To cover his tracks, he resorted to selling some of the cards on eBay. However, his devious deeds caught up with him as he confessed to his unauthorized use of city funds, ultimately sealing his fate.
Initially faced with a slew of charges including corrupt business influence, theft, and official misconduct, Green opted to plead guilty to a single count of theft in April 2024 under a plea deal. This agreement saw the dismissal of all other charges and mandated Green to reimburse a total of $275,628, with $100,000 directed towards a bond company and the remainder to the city’s coffers.
The long arm of the law finally caught up with Green as he was sentenced to three years behind bars on Monday. The court ruling stipulated that Green would serve the first year of his sentence under the watchful eyes of the authorities, with the subsequent two years to be spent on probation. This verdict serves as a somber reminder of the critical need for enhanced financial oversight within Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
This cautionary tale has sparked conversations around the necessity for stricter controls and measures to prevent such misconduct from recurring. As the community grapples with the repercussions of Green’s actions, it is clear that transparency and accountability are paramount in upholding public trust and safeguarding the integrity of city funds.
