Pete Collins, City's IT Chief, Resigns

Minutes ago, the City of Austin issued a press release stating that Pete Collins, the city's Chief Information Officer, was resigning his post.

Collins had been on leave since June, amid unspecified allegations he had used city resources on personal projects, allegations which engendered a welter of rampant, unfounded Internet speculation. After the Travis County District Attorney's office found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the city had said they would be handling the matter in-house, reviewing Collins' employment as a personnel issue; Collins resignation ends the city review. In the statement, City Manager Marc Ott says “The resignation allows the City to move forward on vital technology projects without the uncertainty for employees of what will happen next.”

The city press release is pasted after the jump.

City accepts resignation of Chief Information Officer

City Manager Marc Ott accepted today the resignation of Pete Collins, the City’s Chief Information Officer who has been on administrative leave since mid-June pending investigation of allegations he used City resources for personal gain.

A City administrative review, under way since the Travis County District Attorney’s Office decided in July not to pursue criminal prosecution, will end with this resignation.

“The resignation allows the City to move forward on vital technology projects without the uncertainty for employees of what will happen next,” City Manager Ott said. “Mr. Collins’ decision puts an end to this personnel issue.”

The City will conduct a national search for Collins’ replacement.

Collins had been the City’s Chief Information Officer since 2004. He joined the City as a Police Cadet in January 1993. Linda Pounds-Adams, a former Deputy CIO, is the Acting Chief Information Officer.

The Communications and Technology Management Office has approximately 300 employees and is responsible for technology maintenance, purchases and applications for City departments as well as the City’s voice operations.