Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, found himself in hot water after stealing more than $240,000 from city funds to fuel his baseball card obsession. This unscrupulous behavior led to his recent sentencing — a harsh yet fitting consequence for his illicit deeds.
Green’s downfall began when Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel launched an investigation into the suspicious financial transactions that caught his attention in March 2023. Working alongside the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the inquiry uncovered Green’s misdeeds, ultimately resulting in his termination from his esteemed position.
Court documents unveiled Green’s audacious spending habits, revealing that he indulged in a spree of baseball card purchases amounting to approximately $246,000 from ‘Sport Spot,’ all made using the city’s credit card. In a bid to cover his tracks, Green resorted to selling some of these ill-gotten cards on eBay but could not evade the judicial consequences that would soon follow.
Initially facing a slew of charges, including corrupt business influence, theft, and official misconduct, Green struck a plea deal in April 2024. As part of this agreement, he admitted to one count of theft, leading to the dismissal of all other charges. Additionally, Green was mandated to make full restitution totaling a staggering $275,628, with $100,000 allocated to a bond company and the remaining $175,628 earmarked for the city coffers.
The final gavel fell on Green’s case during his sentencing on a fateful Monday. The court decreed that he must serve the first year of his three-year sentence under the watchful eye of corrections, with potential stays in jail or on work release, followed by two years of probation. This stern punishment was deemed necessary to hold Green accountable for his actions and send a clear message about the consequences of betraying public trust.
The shocking revelations brought to light by this case shone a revealing spotlight on the dire need for enhanced financial oversight within Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department. As the community grapples with the fallout of Green’s fraudulent activities, calls for stringent controls and increased transparency have resonated loudly, emphasizing the crucial importance of safeguarding public funds from unscrupulous hands.
