DiPietro, 49, was indicted Oct. 8 on charges that she fraudulently obtained $2.8 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans in 2020 and 2021 through a woodworking business and a micro-lending company she owned. The charges are allegations; the indictment does not establish guilt.

The travel request was included in a voice vote on routine spending items. The board members voting in favor included Scott, City Council President Zeke Cohen, City Solicitor Ebony Thompson and Public Works Director Matthew Garbark. Comptroller Bill Henry abstains from travel requests under city policy.

DiPietro became chief of fleet operations in the Department of General Services in April 2025. The position oversees about 5,600 city vehicles, municipal fueling stations and a large maintenance facility on East Biddle Street.

The mayor’s office has declined to say whether DiPietro remains on the city payroll, calling her status a personnel matter. Acting DGS Director Terrel Chesson and former director Berke Attila, who hired her, have not answered questions about her qualifications, whether a background check raised concerns or her current employment status.

The Transit Mobility Alliance Conference is sponsored by Transit Technologies, a North Carolina software company. Four other Fleet Management supervisors had already received approval to attend the four-day event. With DiPietro’s request, the estimated combined cost of airfare, lodging, registration and meals for the five employees is nearly $13,000.

City travel guidance says approval for more than one employee from an agency to attend the same event will normally not be granted. The conference program includes sessions on fuel budgets and vehicle maintenance, as well as networking events and a visit to the Alamo.