Firing of prison guard upheld

Monday, Dec. 20, 1999 | 12:02 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- A state hearing officer has upheld the firing of a prison guard who bullied employees of a North Las Vegas casino to try to gain preferential treatment and who even hinted he would handcuff one worker who refused his requests.

Hearing Officer John Graves said the behavior of Correctional Officer Bennett B. Lewis "was disgraceful and caused discredit to the agency; he was dishonest, and engaged in threatening or intimidating conduct."

Lewis, a 13-year employee at the Southern Desert Correctional Center north of Las Vegas in Indian Springs, and a fellow correctional officer and their families planned a dinner out at San Lorenzo restaurant at Texas Station on March 31, 1999.

Lewis called for reservations for about 6 p.m. but nothing was open until 9 p.m. The two couples then went to the casino and Lewis, who was in uniform, was told there would be a wait of several hours.

Graves, who conducted a hearing on the appeal of Lewis to be reinstated, said the correctional officer was abusive in trying to get reservations, that Lewis advised employees and their superiors that he was a member of law enforcement and he then asked for a complimentary meal.

The decision by Graves, issued Friday, said Lewis threatened to handcuff a young hostess at the casino when he didn't get the favored treatment. There was testimony Lewis took his handcuffs out of the carrying case on his belt. But Lewis said he only wanted to inspect and fidget with them.

Graves said Lewis' testimony was not believable.

"No doubt exists in the mind of this hearing officer that the employee attempted to bully his way not only to a reservation to which he was not entitled, but later to a free meal for himself and his party," Graves wrote.

"Lewis attempted unsuccessfully to intimidate and influence staff at the casino based upon his position as a prison corrections officer, and by pulling the handcuffs before (the restaurant manager and hostess)."

North Las Vegas Police Officer John West testified Lewis admitted saying to the hostess, who no longer works at Texas, "I ought to treat you like an inmate should be treated," but Lewis did not testify that he made the statement.

Lewis had testified the young hostess was rude to him. But Graves said his testimony was not credible.

"Lewis' conduct no doubt has served to cause a black eye for the (prison) department, bringing discredit to all its members," Graves said.

After Lewis left the restaurant and returned home, North Las Vegas police officers came to question him about the incident. Graves said Lewis was "verbally combative" with the two officers. Lewis wanted to file a criminal complaint of theft against the security employees at the casino for taking his prison identification card.

"This asinine request was summarily rejected by the (police) officers and the employee's prison card was returned to him," Graves said.

Lewis is appealing the dismissal in District Court.

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