Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement Investigation
Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement Investigation
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Staff Report-
Columbia City Parks Director Faces Criminal Charges Related To Embezzlement InvestigationCOLUMBIA 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.
