Sheriff’s workers under investigation for use of steroids

Feb 25, 2009 1 min read

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) – Broward County Sheriff’s officials are investigating whether 15 deputies and one civilian employee used steroids.

All 16 were placed on administrative duty Friday, pending the results of an internal affairs investigation.

Broward Sheriff’s spokesman Jim Leljedal says employees suspected of steroid use have been ordered to take drug tests, and the agency will determine whether any of the employees that test positive have prescriptions.

Leljedal says any sheriff’s office employee who takes a prescription drug without a prescription or any type of illegal drug can be fired. He says it’s too early to speculate about possible criminal charges.

Officials say results of the investigation will take at least a week, but they do not believe all the cases are related. Leljedal says the 16 employees have different ranks and work at different assignments around the county.

Leljedal wouldn’t say how the agency first learned of the suspected steroid use.