Investigation of city-owned computers reveals potential violations

A company hired by the city of Sarasota to perform a forensic investigation of a city department and three city-owned computers has revealed potential “statutory violations that are potentially both criminal and civil” in nature.

City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini hired Sarasota-based The Sylint Group three months ago to perform a forensic audit of the Information Technology Department as part of a two-part investigation into a computer “scrubbing” accusation made against City Manager Bob Bartolotta and Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown.

Sylint Group President John Jorgenson sent a letter to Nadalini dated Dec. 29, which was released late Wednesday as an agenda item for a special 2 p.m. Sarasota City Commission meeting to discuss the investigation, that states the following issues must be addressed before the company’s final report is issued:

• The lack of e-mail server system operational knowledge by the city’s IT Department.

• The unauthorized access, search and distribution of city emails, including exempt e-mails containing personal information, health records and current ongoing investigative information.

• The inability to fully resolve deleted emails without further evaluation of the email server system, due to problems with the city’s email system and email archive manager system.

Jorgensen wrote in the letter, which Nadalini’s office placed a stamp on it stating it was received on Wednesday, Jan. 4, that the investigation can’t be complete until the commission “carefully considers the activities necessary to determine potential violations of Public Records Requests, Florida Sunshine Law, Whistle Blower Protection and Federal and State Computer Fraud and Abuse Acts.”

No city employees have been named or released in the investigation yet.

Commissioners will be briefed on the investigation today and the commission will discuss the investigation in a public forum at 2 p.m. Friday at City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

For more information, check www.yourobserver.com and pick up a copy of Thursday’s Jan. 12 Sarasota Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].