AUSTIN, Texas — A former Austin Energy employee, Mark Ybarra, is accused of fraudulently spending nearly $1 million using a city-issued credit card, according to a report from the city’s auditor’s office. The report claims Ybarra used the card over a six-year period to make transactions with “fictitious businesses,” some of which were linked to his extended family. At least one transaction was reportedly sent to himself.
Austin Energy stated that the actions of the former employee do not reflect the values and integrity of the organization or the city.
“We remain committed to transparency and the ethical stewardship of public resources and have taken measures to prevent this from happening again,” the company said in a statement…