Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, has found himself at the center of a financial scandal that has rocked the community. After embezzling over $240,000 from the city’s funds, Green’s actions have come to light, revealing a shocking misuse of public resources.
The embezzlement scheme, which involved Green using the city’s credit card to purchase a staggering amount of baseball cards from ‘Sport Spot,’ was brought to an abrupt end following an investigation launched by Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel in March 2023. Concerns were raised when irregularities in the financial transactions were detected, prompting a deep dive into the department’s finances.
Working in collaboration with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the investigation uncovered the extent of Green’s deception. Court documents painted a damning picture of the former superintendent’s actions, showcasing how he diverted a substantial sum of money for personal gain.
Green’s extravagant spending on baseball cards from ‘Sport Spot’ was not merely a hobby but a systematic drain on the city’s resources. The subsequent sale of some cards on eBay added another layer of deceit to his criminal activities. Eventually, Green admitted to his unauthorized use of city funds, paving the way for legal action against him.
Initially facing a myriad of charges including corrupt business influence, theft, and official misconduct, Green opted to plead guilty to a single count of theft as part of a plea agreement reached in April 2024. This strategic move led to the dropping of all other charges against him, albeit with a hefty price to pay in restitution.
The court mandated that Green reimburse a total of $275,628, which included a substantial sum directed towards a bond company. The remaining amount, $175,628, was slated for repayment to the city, underlining the severity of his actions and the financial impact on the public coffers.
In a move to hold Green accountable for his misdeeds, the court handed down a three-year sentence, with the first year potentially to be served in jail or on work release. The subsequent two years would be spent under probation, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of betraying the public’s trust.
The scandal involving Mark Green has shed light on glaring gaps in financial oversight within Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department. With calls for stricter controls and improved accountability resonating across the community, the incident serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in handling public funds.
