Columbia City Parks Director faces criminal charges related to embezzlement investigation

COLUMBIA CITY –  On March 15, 2023, the Indiana State Police was notified by the Columbia City Clerk-Treasurer’s Office in regard 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.  

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 of 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, April 18, 2023, after reviewing the case documents, the Whitley County Prosecutor DJ Sigler filed charges in the Whitley Circuit Court against Columbia City Parks Director, Mark D. Green, 51, of Columbia City.

Green is facing charges of four counts of corrupt business influence, four counts of theft of property greater than $50K, a count of theft of property valued between $750 to $50K, and official misconduct as a public servant.

Wednesday evening, Mark Green voluntarily turned himself in at the Whitley County jail, where he was booked into custody on the above charges, and then released after posting a $50,000 bond.

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