Ex-Cop With Porn Past Loses Appeal For Job

HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) - A former Hollywood police officer who claims he was fired because he is gay has lost his bid to get his old job back.

On Tuesday, a judge sided with the police department and said they did not have to re-hire Michael Verdugo. Hollywood police said they fired Verdugo after they found out he had acted in a gay porn film called "Rope Rituals".

Verdugo's porn star stint popped up on the internet after he appeared on HGTV's Design Star show as "Mickey V." He said he was the first of just three openly gay officers on the force to reveal their sexual orientation.

Last August, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ruled that Verdugo would be allowed to keep his law enforcement certification but he would be on probation for a year and must attend an ethics class.

Verdugo said he doesn't regret performing in the film. He said it's something he did before he was a cop.