Youth correction official ordered reinstated

Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 | 11:17 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A hearing officer has ordered the reinstatement of a key executive of the state's youth correction center in Caliente in a case that upset city officials.

In a decision released Thursday, Hearing Officer David Ford said the evidence in the case did not justify the dismissal of head group supervisor Bruce Burgess who was second-in-command at the center in Lincoln County.

Burgess had taken hydrocodone from the the center's drug cabinet in July 2003. Burgess said he had exhausted his supply of the painkiller and needed some pills for a co-worker who had suffered an injury and needed medication to relieve his pain.

Burgess said he didn't realize how serious his actions had been until he was fired and charged with a crime. He pleaded guilty in July 2004 to "unlawful taking or obtaining of controlled substance or prescription." He was ordered to enter a drug diversionary program.

Mike Willden, the state director of human resources, was born and raised in Caliente and had been a former director of the youth center. He testified at the personnel hearing that he had a "falling out in the town of Caliente " because of the firing of Burgess.

The decision by Ford said Willden "heard from the mayor, school principal, supporters and non-supporters." Ford said everyone in the community "was concerned with the economic viability of the Caliente Youth Center, its conflicts and problems."

Willden said he went to the home of Burgess, who had worked at the center since 1991, to discuss the firing and advised him to get a good attorney. But Willden did not modify the decision to dismiss him.

During his employment, Burgess received outstanding evaluations.

The hearing officer ordered Burgess to receive all his back pay, minus any income he may have earned.

During the hearing Burgess said he was not aware that it was a violation or a crime to take the medication that had been prescribed for an inmate who had dental work but was no longer using the drug.