Brent Bachop, the council's Citifleet manager, died on May 21 last year, nearly a week after first being approached about irregularities within his department on May 15.
Investigations by Deloitte and Dunedin police subsequently placed him at the centre of a fraud involving the sale of 152 council vehicles and the pocketing of proceeds.
In a finding made public today, Otago Coroner David Crerar concluded that Mr Bachop committed suicide on May 21.
Mr Crerar said it was accepted Mr Bachop's involvement in the fraud was a factor in his death, as it was the "one overwhelming issue which he must have felt that he could not face''.
The council was found to have acted appropriately in its handling of Mr Bachop, as it held meetings, offered support, including counselling advice, after he was first approached.
"I have no evidence that the actions by DCC to or for Brent Bachop were inappropriate.''
Mr Crerar extended his sympathy to those affected by Mr Bachop's death.
