News

Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, has been sentenced to three years for stealing more than $240,000 from city funds, part of which he used to buy baseball cards. His criminal activities were uncovered following an investigation initiated by Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel in March 2023 after suspicious financial transactions were detected.

The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts, led to Green's termination from his position. Court documents revealed that Green spent approximately $246,000 on baseball cards from 'Sport Spot' using the city's credit card. He then sold some of these cards on eBay, later admitting to the unauthorized use of city funds for these purchases.

Originally charged with four counts of corrupt business influence, four counts of theft, and one count of official misconduct, Green pleaded guilty in April 2024 to one count of theft under a plea agreement. This agreement resulted in the dismissal of all other charges, and required Green to make restitution totaling $275,628. This amount included $100,000 to a bond company and the remaining $175,628 to the city.

Green's sentencing took place on Monday, with the court ordering him to serve the first year of his three-year sentence potentially in jail or on work release, with the remaining two years on probation. This case has highlighted significant issues in the financial oversight at Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department, prompting calls for tighter controls.