Pubdate: Mon, 8 May 2000 Source: Palm Beach Post (FL) Copyright: 2000, The Palm Beach Post Feedback: http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/mail.html Website: http://www.gopbi.com/ Forum: http://www.gopbi.com/community/forums/ Author: Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer ST. LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF'S SERGEANT SUES TO GET HIS JOB BACK AFTER DRUG-TEST FIRING FORT PIERCE -- A St. Lucie County sheriff's sergeant who was fired in November after a positive drug test filed suit to appeal the firing. In a complaint filed March 9, former Sgt. Dennis Bernas, 48, criticized the Career Service Appeals Board that considered an appeal of his firing Feb. 4 and demanded a new hearing. He alleged in the complaint that the board of five deputies made its decision based on an inaccurate drug test, refused to discipline other deputies for similar test results and failed to document its deliberations. Bernas maintained during the hearing that he tested positive because of prescription pain medication his brother gave him the day before the test. The board upheld Bernas' firing by a vote of 3-1. Bernas had earlier sued the department and won his job back, plus a $25,000 settlement after he was demoted for using excessive force during a 1993 traffic stop. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea