Can I pick em or what? Meet My Doctor!

[geno]

Gessler Clinic doctor faces drug, domestic violence charges

News Chief staff report


Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 4:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 6:03 p.m.
( page of 3 )

WINTER HAVEN - A leading doctor with Gessler Clinic in Winter Haven was in protective custody by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday night, facing domestic violence and drug charges amid reports that he threatened to shoot some of his professional colleagues.

Dr. Joseph Anthony Bergnes, 61, of Winter Haven, was taken into custody late Tuesday and charged Wednesday with domestic violence battery by strangulation, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A Sheriff's Office report listed Bergnes as being the president of Gessler Clinic.

The doctor's wife of 30 years was the alleged domestic violence victim, according to a Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit.

Bergnes was taken into custody under the state's Baker Act and admitted to a local hospital that the Sheriff's Office wouldn't name for security reasons.

The Baker Act, the common name for the Florida Mental Health Act, permits authorities to take people into custody if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or to others.

According to the report, Bergnes was being guarded Wednesday night by Sheriff's Office deputies and was expected to be taken to the Polk County Jail book-in center in Bartow upon his doctor-approved release from the hospital.

The doctor's arrest followed a series of events that began around 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the arrest affidavit.

The doctor and his wife got into a verbal argument that became “very heated” when the wife said she wanted to call 911 in response to her husband's “behavior and strange comments.” According to the affidavit, the doctor became irate and placed his forearm around his wife's neck, applying pressure until she agreed she wouldn't call 911.

On Tuesday, according to the affidavit, Joseph Bergnes and his wife were traveling to see the doctor's personal physician when Bergnes made verbal threats to harm his wife. Bergnes told his wife that if she told the physician about their problems, he “would hurt her and cut off her fingers,” the affidavit states.

Also, according to the affidavit, Bergnes told his wife that if he lost his job, he “would go to a meeting at the clinic and shoot” an attorney and two doctors that he identified by name.

In response to a family disturbance, a Sheriff's Office deputy went to the Bergnes home at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday, placed the doctor into protective custody under the Baker Act and took him to a local hospital.

According to the affidavit, the deputy learned from the doctor's wife that Joseph Bergnes owns several guns. The wife said she “was afraid he would carry out his threats to shoot his colleagues” and asked that the Sheriff's Office remove the guns from a safe inside the doctor's home office.

When the safe was opened, 73.5 grams of marijuana, packaged in several clear baggies, was found inside, according to the affidavit. The wife told the Sheriff's Office that only her husband uses the safe and said that he smokes marijuana at night, the affidavit states.

The wife also said her husband had sent one of his guns to an armory to have “the barrel shortened and the trigger fixed so he could use that gun on his colleagues if he loses his job at the hospital,” the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, “Joseph was advised by the hospital legal department in order for him to continue his employment with the hospital he must seek treatment for his mental illness. Joseph is currently under treatment, however he refuses to take the medication prescribed by his physician.”

According to the Gessler Clinic website - http://www.gesslerclinic.com/?p=32 - Joseph Bergnes is a specialist in medical oncology. He received his medical degree from the University of Miami Medical School in 1973 and is board certified in internal medicine. His undergraduate degree also is from the University of Miami (1969).

[russau]

but Gene, that really dont make him a bad person does it??

[Gold Seeker]

DAMMMMMMMM, Geno you sure know how to pick em!!!!

Is this really your doctor or another doctor that works at the Gessler Clinic??


Skip

[geno]

Russ, He's been good for me I'll hate to lose him.

[geno]

Skip, he is my Doctor...or was until this problem came up... I'm just glad that I finished my treatments ths time around the day before his last nerve snapped... Now I need to find a new Dr.

[bobber_2]

Holy cow Geno, you just can't catch a break!

Stay Strong...

Bob

[Hoser John]

WOW sounds like this yahoo up here in Redding Ames. He was shooting at kids who were picking up golf balls across the river from his place. They found meth,tons a pills,opium and bud too and he lost his license for just awhile=insanity. Very sorry to hear bud,did my $$ show for dinner fundraiser G?? John

[russau]

John i liked your suggestion to send $$. i took your lead and instead of my presence there for Gene, i sent a "helpfull" gift to him!

[geno]

Hoser and Russ... I'm sorry you are getting this so late, but yes, Idid receive your gifts and I've invited people in your names to attend. ... I've been thru an absolute hell for the last 2 weeks with barely a break in the effects. Today, I'm finalloy feeling pretty good so I've decided I can sit here an pass the tmie for awhile.

Looking forward to the springtime visits from Leonard and Russ. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the Whiskey Trail Ride. I was looking forward to being the designated driver. But hell, I don't even feel comfortable enough to drive to town.

Tallk to y'all later.
God Bless ya's
geno

[Hoser John]

Take care G your in our prayers bud-John