July 17--FORT WORTH -- A Fort Worth firefighter who was fired last year after failing a random drug test won his job back -- only to lose it again.
Leslie A. McConnell, 42, was indefinitely suspended for a second time on June 26 for allegedly providing a false or tampered-with urine sample during a drug test he was required to pass before resuming his career as a firefighter, according to a letter filed with the Civil Service Commission.
McConnell, who has appealed the firing, did not return a message seeking comment.
He had been with the fire department since August 1999 when he was first fired in November.
A letter filed with the Civil Service Commission at that time stated McConnell had tested positive for methamphetamine during a random drug test.
Prior to the department being notified about the test results, McConnell had told a captain that the test would come back positive, that he was sorry and had made a mistake. He also said he was in outpatient treatment, the letter states.
In a subsequent meeting with fire officials, McConnell admitted to smoking methamphetamine three times, including on the weekend before his random drug test.
McConnell appealed his termination and, on June 1, was awarded his job back following a hearing before the Civil Service Commission.
Two days later, McConnell was instructed to to a report to a clinic for a mandatory alcohol and drug test prior to reorientation with firefighting activities, according to the most recent disciplinary letter, released to the Star-Telegram Tuesday afternoon after the paper filed an open records request for it on July 1.
Accompanied by a captain, McConnell went to the clinic that day and provided a urine sample.
"The technician examined the specimen and after a calibration check informed Firefighter McConnell that the specimen was below the temperature range for a urine sample that was just submitted," the letter states. "A cold sample is compelling evidence that Firefighter McConnell tampered with or otherwise provided a false urine sample."
McConnell subsequently provided a second sample, this time witnessed by a male technician.
After leaving the clinic, the letter states McConnell was "visibly upset" and asked to speak to the captain "off the record."
The captain responded he would listen but that the information provided could not be off the record. He also reminded McConnell that he could not discuss the results of his initial test at this time, the letter states.
After the captain spoke to the chief on the phone, Jackson directed that McConnell be placed on detached duty.
The letter states that McConnell failed to follow detached duty directives set forth for him by the department.
In a June 10 interview with a deputy chief, McConnell said he did not know why his first urine sample was out of the normal temperature range "but that there were illnesses and conditions that might cause a low temperature."
"When asked if he was aware of having any such illness, Firefighter McConnell responded that he did not know because he had not been able to afford to go to a doctor during the time he had been off for his indefinite suspension."
McConnell said he also did not know why his second, witnessed urine sample was within temperature guidelines, the letter states.
Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655
Twitter: @deannaboyd
Copyright 2013 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
