Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/92622
Sarasota News Leader us sitting here at the mercy of Mr. Jorgensen. The can- cer isn't on the city, it is [on] the reckless accusations of our workers." "Reckless" is just one of the words commissioners have used in the past 10 months. One IT employee remains on administrative leave in the aftermath of the scan- dal, and she is receiving full pay and benefits. "It's time to exonerate those most egregiously affected by this. It is time to end this," Atwell said. Who would know better than she, after receiving a letter from the FDLE the previous Friday, Nov. 2. FDLE Special Agent in Charge John Burke wrote that the investigation requested by Atwell is "completed" and "FDLE believes that no probable cause exists to support a vi- able criminal charge and no further action is warranted." The city released the letter the following day to the press and public. Marlon Brown, dep- Then-City Manager Robert Bar- tolotta addresses the people gath- ered for the dedication of the Palm Avenue parking garage in February 2010. Photo by Norman Schimmel November 9, 2012 Page 16 uty city manager, was also cleared. Jorgensen had ear- lier strongly suggested that emails involved in federal investigations of the city had been compromised, and a former state senator had suggested that hundreds of emails had been delet- ed. Had any of these alle- gations been well-founded, it is doubtful Burke would have pulled the investigato- ry plug. So who were the wolves and who were sheep? Was Barto- lotta railroaded out of town on trumped-up charges? The only obvious gainer from all this was City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini, whose office absorbed the Information Technology Department after commissioners wrenched it away from Barto- lotta. The big loser is the taxpayer. The cost of the whole episode exceeds $500,000, including Bartolotta's severance package, the IT em- ployee's paid leave and Jorgensen's Sylint contract. Tonya Herschberger & Linda Keefe "After a terrible accident I required surgery. Tonya shared with me that Dr. Koval was responsible for her beautiful smile. She gave me hope and direction. I'm so grateful to Dr, Koval. Now I have a smile that I love to share with everyone." For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 | Christine Koval, D.M.D. | www.askdrkoval.com