Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement Investigation

April 20, 2023 at 9:00 p.m.
Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement Investigation
Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement Investigation

By Staff Report-

COLUMBIA CITY - On March 15, the Indiana State Police was notified by the Columbia City Clerk-Treasurer's Office in regards to questionable expenditures associated with the Columbia City Parks Office budgetary accounts.

After receiving that complaint, a detailed investigation was conducted by detectives with Indiana State Police Special Investigations Unit, and with the assistance of the State Board of Accounts, according to a news release from the ISP.

In total, the investigation documented Parks Department budgetary funds totaling just under $250,000 spent on unauthorized purchases using the city's credit card during a period from 2018 through March 2023.  

Once the investigation concluded, the case was turned over to the Whitley County prosecutor for review and determination of criminal charges to be filed.

On Monday, after reviewing the case documents, Whitley County Prosecutor DJ Sigler filed charges in Whitley Circuit Court against Columbia City Parks Director Mark D. Green, 51, Columbia City.

Criminal charges filed included corrupt business influence, Level 5 felony (four counts); theft, property greater than $50,000, Level 5 felony (four counts); theft, property value between $750 and $50,000 (one count); and official misconduct, public servant, Level 6 felony (one count).

Wednesday evening, Green voluntarily turned himself in to the Whitley County Jail, where he was booked into custody on the above charges, and then released under a $50,000 bond, according to the news release.

At this time there is no further information to release on this investigation.

COLUMBIA CITY - On March 15, the Indiana State Police was notified by the Columbia City Clerk-Treasurer's Office in regards to questionable expenditures associated with the Columbia City Parks Office budgetary accounts.

After receiving that complaint, a detailed investigation was conducted by detectives with Indiana State Police Special Investigations Unit, and with the assistance of the State Board of Accounts, according to a news release from the ISP.

In total, the investigation documented Parks Department budgetary funds totaling just under $250,000 spent on unauthorized purchases using the city's credit card during a period from 2018 through March 2023.  

Once the investigation concluded, the case was turned over to the Whitley County prosecutor for review and determination of criminal charges to be filed.

On Monday, after reviewing the case documents, Whitley County Prosecutor DJ Sigler filed charges in Whitley Circuit Court against Columbia City Parks Director Mark D. Green, 51, Columbia City.

Criminal charges filed included corrupt business influence, Level 5 felony (four counts); theft, property greater than $50,000, Level 5 felony (four counts); theft, property value between $750 and $50,000 (one count); and official misconduct, public servant, Level 6 felony (one count).

Wednesday evening, Green voluntarily turned himself in to the Whitley County Jail, where he was booked into custody on the above charges, and then released under a $50,000 bond, according to the news release.

At this time there is no further information to release on this investigation.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Post Offices Closed On Oct. 14 In Observance Of Columbus Day
Retail services at post offices across Indiana will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 in recognition of the Columbus Day holiday.

Christine Hough
Christine Hough, of Warsaw, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Paddock Springs Senior Living in Warsaw, at the age of 86.

Bret Waine Wolf
Bret Waine Wolf, 65, passed away Sept. 23, 2024, in Warsaw. He was born on Feb. 19, 1959, in Goshen, to Marion M. and Barbara Sue Wolf. On June 30, 1979, he married his sweet Sue Ellen Sprong Wolf.

Giles Lee Neer
MENTONE – Giles Lee Neer, formerly of rural Akron, passed away on Sept. 3, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.

Shady Nicole Hernandez
Shandy Nicole Hernandez, 40, Goshen, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.