Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government are calling for a new audit concerning the 2009 spring training deal that was cleared by an audit in July 2010 by Sarasota County Clerk of the Court Karen Rushing. 

Cathy Antunes, head of SCRG, said there are various issues with Rushing's original audit including lack of scope, clarity, missing documents and lack of independence from county administration. 

"We think that this audit is an inadequate example of meaningful oversight," Antunes said during Tuesday's press conference. 

While the group's request for a new audit raised several issues, one of their main claims is that IFG wrote the scope of the request for proposal (or RFP) for the baseball deal and then bid on that scope. According to emails obtained during a 2010 sunshine violation lawsuit, multiple county employees knew of this fact. 

One of those employees was Community and Service Director Larry Arnold. Last month Arnold had his position eliminated by interim county administrator Terry Lewis. 

SCRG said another key issue was the "extreme" standard that Rushing had for finding fault in the county's procurement of the spring training deal. 

Antunes met with Rushing on June 17 to discuss concerns with the audit. She said Rushing kept using the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard. 

"That [phrase] was given to us over and over," Antunes said. "This wasn’t a criminal investigation ... We find that standard unacceptably high.

"Apparently someone has to commit a crime before someone pays attention," Antunes said. "Why is that the standard for an audit"?

Pat Rounds with SCRG said it was ethical standards that were compromised, which gave certain bidders an unfair advantage over other businesses/proposals.  

Antunes said she is not sure if a new audit will occur for the spring training contracts. 

"We were not told it would be redone, but they certainly said they would get back to us," Antunes said. 

Rushing will be presenting another audit to the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners today regarding a wide range of county procurement practices that has led to firings and the resignation of county administrator Jim Ley. 

It is one of the last items on today's agenda.