By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

COLUMBIA CITY — Criminal charges have officially been filed against Columbia City’s former parks superintendent.

Mark D. Green, 51, 4083 S. SR 9, Columbia City, is charged with four counts of corrupt business influence and three counts of theft where value of property is over $50,000, all level 5 felonies; and theft and official misconduct, both level 6 felonies.

On March 15, an Indiana State Police detective met with Columbia City Clerk-Treasurer Rosie Coyle.

According to court documents, Coyle said she printed out a budget history for the city’s park office staff and asked Green to give the document to Melinda Leininger, the city’s park program coordinator. Green allegedly refused to give Leininger the budget history or supporting documents.

Later, Leininger called Coyle regarding invoices sent to the parks department from a business in Fort Wayne.  The business sold only sports cards and collectibles. Staff also discovered multiple boxes under Green’s park office desk with labels from the business.

Coyle then pulled all invoices issued to the parks department from the Fort Wayne business, with the first one dated in 2018. The total of the invoices, which occurred between 2018 and 2023, was $246,295.95.

The detective spoke with the Fort Wayne business’s owner, who said Green purchased baseball cards using a credit card belonging to Columbia City. Green allegedly told staff the cards would be sold in the concession stands at the city parks. He also said he was allowed to make purchases on the card as long as Green reimbursed the city.

Surveillance footage showed Green in the store on March 14.

In an interview with the detective on March 16, Green admitted to purchasing cards from the business and doing so by using the city’s credit card. He said he collects sports cards and then sells them on eBay. When asked how much he spent, Green said he had no idea but was “afraid to find out.”

He also said he altered the invoices from the business to make it look like legitimate purchases for the parks department.

Green said he conducted most of his eBay transactions on a computer tablet issued to him by the city. He told the detective financial pressures associated with supporting his child’s chosen career was the primary motive behind the thefts.

An investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts remains ongoing.

About 170 boxes containing sports cards were retrieved from Green’s residence.

News of Green’s crimes first arose in late March after a public social media statement by Columbia City Mayor Ryan L. Daniel announced Green’s termination.

A warrant has been issued for Green’s arrest.