Mark Green, the former superintendent of Columbia City Parks and Recreation, has recently found himself in hot water, receiving a three-year sentence for a shocking crime – embezzling over $240,000 from the city’s funds. What makes this already unfortunate situation even more peculiar is the fact that Green chose to spend a chunk of this stolen money on baseball cards. Yes, you heard that right – baseball cards.
It all came crashing down on Green when Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel decided to take a closer look at the financial transactions in March 2023. And guess what? Things weren’t adding up. With suspicions raised, an investigation was launched, bringing together various authorities including the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
The findings were not in Green’s favor. Court documents uncovered a jaw-dropping expenditure of approximately $246,000 on baseball cards from a store called ‘Sport Spot,’ all paid for with the city’s credit card. What’s more, Green didn’t stop there. He went on to sell some of these ill-gotten cards on eBay. When confronted, Green came clean, admitting to dipping into city funds without authorization for his hobby of collecting baseball cards.
Initially facing a slew of charges including corrupt business influence, theft, and official misconduct, Green took a plea deal in April 2024. By pleading guilty to one count of theft, he dodged the other charges. This plea bargain also came with a hefty price tag – Green was mandated to pay restitution totaling a whopping $275,628. This sum included $100,000 to a bond company and the remaining $175,628 back to the city coffers.
The sentencing hearing was the final blow for Green and his ill-gotten gains. The court handed down a three-year sentence, with an interesting twist in the punishment. While the first year could potentially see Green behind bars or on work release, the subsequent two years are to be spent under probation. This case sheds light on the need for stronger financial oversight within Columbia City’s Parks and Recreation Department, with many now calling for tighter controls to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mark Green’s misdeeds serve as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of transparency and accountability in all facets of public service. Let this be a lesson not only for those entrusted with handling public funds but for all of us to remain vigilant in the face of temptation and greed.
