AUSTIN, Texas — Seven Austin Energy employees violated city policy by using city-owned vehicles to commute between their homes and worksites for more than a year, costing the city an estimated $37,300, according to an investigative report released this month by the Austin City Auditor’s Office.
The employees drove their assigned vehicles home without a legitimate city purpose from July 2023 through July 2024, logging approximately 56,200 miles during those unauthorized commutes. GPS records confirmed the trips, and all seven admitted to the practice when interviewed by auditors.
Some employees said they were directed to take the vehicles home by a former supervisor, who denied giving that instruction. Auditors found no written evidence to support the employees’ claims…