Parks superintendent fired amid embezzlement allegations

The parks superintendent in Columbia City has been fired over alleged embezzlement of city funds. Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel said Wednesday the move followed an investigation of “suspicious financial activity.”

In a post on Facebook, the mayor said he and Clerk-Treasurer Rosie Coyle became aware of the suspicious activity in the parks department and immediately requested an investigation by the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.

Daniel said Parks Superintendent Mark Green is no longer employed by the city.

The city has turned documents over to the state police, and Daniel said he is preparing for a full audit by the State Board of Accounts. The board told our partners at WPTA-TV the process could take months.

“We are hurt, saddened, and frustrated by this situation,” Daniel said.

The mayor declined to provide more information, citing the ongoing investigation.

Indiana State Police told WPTA it is investigating a complaint of “theft/embezzlement of $50,000 or more.” Investigators believe the alleged embezzlement took place between October 2018 and March 2023.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Whitley County prosecutor.