The city auditor has found Mayor Yemi Mobolade used his official security detail to run personal errands and that he made his city vehicle available to his spouse for personal use, as reported recently by The Gazette (“Audit flags mayor’s personal use of security detail, city vehicle; calls for clearer policy,” April 4). The findings emerged recently after the auditor was asked to look into allegations against the mayor of fraud, waste and abuse.  

The auditor’s conclusions were shared with the city’s Audit Committee, which advises the auditor and is comprised of citizen volunteers and two City Council members.  After their review, the report was posted to the city website and is available for public viewing. 

In a statement issued to the media, Mobolade claimed the report indicated that city resources had been “used appropriately.” 

Five separate instances were independently documented and verified.  Each one confirms that the mayor used his security team, comprised of sworn Colorado Springs Police Officers, to run errands and participate in a series of personal activities — picking up children, attending a school graduation, and even stopping for dry cleaning. The report characterizes these as “incidental to official travel.” Perhaps. But incidental to whom? 

To taxpayers, there is nothing incidental about the use of publicly funded sworn police officers to run personal errands. The distinction between “on the way to” and “for the purpose of” becomes meaningless when public resources are consistently utilized for personal benefit.  It is especially troubling knowing that we struggle to put police officers on the street to deal with crime, homelessness, and a myriad of daily emergencies around town.  Instead, these valuable resources are being used to pick up the mayor’s laundry. 

Even more troubling is the use of a city-owned vehicle by the mayor’s wife, driving more than 150 miles over a span of time in 2025.  This was ultimately reported, but only after it became clear that there would be an ethics investigation. Since when did “we filled out paperwork afterward” become a defense for using public property for private benefit? A belated confession is not ethical clearance. It’s damage control. Why should taxpayers be expected to foot the bill for this, especially when we are facing budget shortfalls, closing community centers, closing public restrooms, and cutting corners on essential city services?  And knowing that the mayor wants to ask for an increase to the Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST), how can we possibly expect voter support for a tax increase when the mayor is misusing current funds? 

At the end of the day, this is the lowest bar of public service: not misappropriating public resources for private benefit.  And let’s be honest: if an ordinary city employee made government vehicles available to their spouse or routinely asked police officers to chauffeur them on their personal errands, would it be acceptable? Or would it trigger disciplinary action?  Colorado Springs deserves better than leadership that feels free to flout the most basic ethical standards. 

The Audit Committee’s recommendation says it all: The city lacks “clear and enforceable policy” governing how elected officials use public resources. That absence is not a bureaucratic oversight — it is an accountability gap, and one that City Council must close.  Not only to hold Mayor Yemi accountable to our citizens but also to ensure a similar abuse of power never happens again. 

Brian Risley is president pro tem of the Colorado Springs City Council