Former Austin Library Employee Accused Of Stealing $1.3 Million In Printer Toner

Topline

A former public library employee has been accused by Austin auditors of buying and then stealing at least $1.3 million worth of printer toner from work in order to resell it online and pocket the cash, charges the auditor’s office alleges took place over more than a decade-long career at the library.

Key Facts

Key Background

The Austin Public Library was first received an allegation in March 2020 that Whited had been “stealing printer toner, storing it in his garage, and selling it online,” during his time at the library. Whited resigned from the library more than a year ago in August of 2019 in lieu of termination unrelated to the issue of the unauthorized spending allegations, according to the city. According to the city’s report, the library’s “poor practices and procedures” provided ample opportunity to steal. A brand-new flagship Central Library opened up in downtown Austin along  Lady Bird Lake in 2017, to much fanfare and praise for its modern, light-filled design. The following year, the location was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest places in the world. It was the only American library featured on the list that year, and among only three listed worldwide.