A report just released by the Office of the City Auditor says city management ignored a violation of city code by an employee serving on a city commission that covers subject matter related to her department – despite a warning from the city auditor. City code currently prohibits employees from serving on commissions that cover […]
Office of the City Auditor
This city department is created by the city’s charter in order to establish and ensure “accountability transparency, and a culture of continuous improvement in city operations.”
Posted inCity Hall
Auditor finds fire department employee misused resources for family business
An investigation by the city auditor’s office found evidence that an Austin Fire Department employee misused city computer equipment and his city email account to conduct business for a company owned by his wife. In a report released Tuesday, the auditor’s office said that Brian Kline, who worked as an equipment technician for the fire […]
Posted inCity Hall
Auditor says Austin Energy employee accepted utility poles from vendor
Investigators in the Office of the City Auditor have released a report showing that an Austin Energy supervisor asked for and received favors from a city vendor early last year. In the report, which was released Monday, an investigation found evidence that John Wilson, a supervisor in Austin Energy’s distribution services group, asked the vendor […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Politics, resurrected
The return of Zimmerman… After a few years of (relative) silence from Don Zimmerman, it appears that the former District 6 Council member is once again ready to enter the fray. In an Easter Facebook post, Zimmerman announced he was throwing his famous hat into the ring and exploring a campaign to become Texas House […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit says employee misused city computer
Investigators in the Office of the City Auditor have released a report showing that a staff member in the Development Services Department used his city computer to operate his personal online business. Auditors released a report Monday stating they had found evidence that Mauricio Ramos, who works as a site and subdivision inspector, accessed websites […]
Posted inCity Hall
Honor Flight duties raise concerns
City employees working in the Veterans Services Office have spent a considerable amount of city time working for Honor Flight Austin, the nonprofit organization that provides trips to Washington, D.C., for World War II veterans, even though the city does not have a written agreement with the organization. Veterans Services Office staff “were spending anywhere […]
Posted inCity Hall
Updated: Human Resources director faces ethics complaint
Joya Hayes, director of the city’s Human Resources Department, misused city resources and abused her position by directing staffers to care for her child while Hayes attended meetings, according to a complaint filed by the Office of the City Auditor. The allegation came to light last week when the Ethics Review Commission posted its agenda […]
Posted inCity Hall
City employee forced out for using city computer for food trucks
A city employee has been fired after city auditors accused him of using his city computer to manage two food trucks that he owns. For his part, the employee claims that he is being treated unfairly and that his mistakes are nothing compared to what he has seen co-workers get away with. An investigation conducted […]
Posted inCity Hall
Auditors find misuse of city resources
An Austin Energy employee suspected of driving intoxicated in a deadly crash misused his city vehicle by driving to locations outside the scope of his work and misused work time to hunt on city property, according to an investigative report released this week by the Office of the City Auditor. Investigators said that Jody Wood, […]
Posted inCity Hall
Homeowners share stories of home repair anguish
Austin city auditors found the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department home rehabilitation loan program left a significant number of homeowners unhappy with the work contractors did and frequently missed its own goals over a three-year period, fiscal years 2015-2017. Andrew Keegan was the audit manager and Henry Katumwa was the auditor-in-charge of the audit. […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report highlights flaws in city contracting
City auditors found major flaws in how the city manages its contracts, with many of those weaknesses persisting citywide for several years, according to a special report issued this week. Audit Manager Katie Houston told the City Council Audit and Finance Committee Wednesday that the contracting weaknesses negatively impact the city’s ability to safeguard city […]
Posted inCity Hall
Ethics commission pushes Austin Energy for info on retiree’s overtime case
An Austin Energy retiree who is being investigated for allegedly misusing his sick and vacation time will get more evidence from his former employer to possibly contest the city’s case against him. The Ethics Review Commission voted 9-0 last week to request more cooperation from Austin Energy in gathering emails and other documentation from Curtis […]