Yukon audit: how the city's mayor is responding

Following the release of a forensic audit detailing decades of financial and governance mismanagement in Yukon’s city government, current Mayor Brian Pillmore is speaking out.

The audit uncovered a workplace culture in which allegations—including an inappropriate “on-the-job” sexual relationship between a city leader and an employee—were ignored or dismissed. It also detailed the misdirection of city funds into a nonprofit organization, the misuse of city resources, such as fuel and facilities, and the direct hiring of city employees to run personal errands for leadership.

Full Breakdown: Yukon audit: 10 ways auditors say the city mismanaged money and conduct

Mayor Pillmore, who took office in May 2024, said former council members, employees, and lifelong residents had previously attempted to raise concerns but were “ignored.” Their persistence, he said, confirmed the need for a forensic review.

His full statement follows.

After I took office in May 2024, former council members, employees, and lifelong residents shared critical insights with me about the City of Yukon. Many had tried to raise these issues before but were ignored. Their courage helped confirm the need for a forensic review. What we’ve found through this process is disappointing but not surprising: breakdowns in governance, controls, and accountability that allowed serious issues to persist. Some of the most troubling findings include the inappropriate "on the job" sexual relationship between a city leader and an employee, the misdirection of city funds into a nonprofit organization, and the misuse of city resources, such as fuel, city facilities, and employees being directed to perform personal errands. These incidents occurred within a governance and control environment that was woefully inadequate—enabled by those who either failed to report what they saw or whose concerns were ignored. Such behavior not only violated trust but also left the city vulnerable to further harm. Today, we are turning the page in Yukon. The days of tolerating dishonesty, mismanagement, and exploitation are over. Starting with a City Council resolution and under the leadership of our new City Manager Mike Castro, we are building a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency. As Mike Castro said, we’ll adopt a principle akin to the West Point Honor Code: "We will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." Transparency is not always comfortable, but it is essential. We have a duty to seek the truth and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. Those who abuse power, steal, or harass others have no place in this city. We owe it to our neighbors, our children, and our legacy to lead with integrity. When one of us takes a stand, it inspires others to do the same.