Despite the ruling, Local 231 President Victor Bermudez remains suspended without pay in connection to a second, unrelated disciplinary case from last year.
Bermudez has continued, while suspended, leading protests and legal action against the county over its plan to close the county jail here and lay off most officers.
State Office of Administrative Law Judge Elaine Frick issued her decision in the campaign ad case against Bermudez on Jan. 21. The Civil Service Commission reviewed her ruling and voted to adopt her findings last month.
Frick dismissed some charges against Bermudez but sustained four charges. She imposed a 180-day suspension without pay, saying firing was too harsh, and ordered him reinstated. He also has rights to three to four months of back pay.