Pam Nadalini, Sarasota’s former City Auditor and Clerk, this week chose termination over a forced resignation from her charter office. But does that mean litigation will follow her ouster?

The former city official told SRQ Media that’s a legal decision yet to be made.

“Everything is being handled by my attorney at this point,” she said, “and no decision has been made.”

Nadalini could not speak to specifics about the end of her relationship with the City of Sarasota, where she’s worked most of her adult life. She began her tenure as an employee in the clerk’s office more than three decades ago and climbed the ranks there to the position of Deputy City Clerk before being promoted to the top post in 2010. Her hire made her the first black and first female charter official in city history.

“I appreciate the opportunity extended to me through the City of Sarasota,” she said. “I’m grateful to have served the city for 33 years.”

Ultimately, her time at City Hall came to a close on Wednesday, a day after declining a request from city commissioners she resign. She had been offered the chance to submit a resignation and remain on leave until April 15, getting that pay in addition to a six-month severance.

A letter from Nadalini attorney Robert McKee made clear the offer wouldn’t fly because it also involved giving up any right to take action against the city such as suing for wrongful termination.

“She is not prepared to execute a general release in favor of the city,” McKee wrote, “especially as it related to the events which led to her being placed on administrative leave and which will precipitate the termination of her employment.”

The parting of ways came after city commissioners hired Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick to investigate Nadalini’s management style and the consultants came back with a report documenting complaints by past and current employees of a hostile workplace.