HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Hollywood police officer and reality TV star has been put on administrative leave amid allegations that he starred in a gay porn film.

The Hollywood Police Department put Michael Verdugo, 34, known as a contestant on HGTV’s “Design Star,” on administrative leave with pay Wednesday when authorities discovered he might have played a starring role in a 1996 porn film.

Verdugo joined the police force in 2001, five years after the movie was filmed.

“He’s a great cop with a distinguished record of serving this community for many years,” said Al Milian, Verdugo’s attorney.

Milian would not deny or confirm Verdugo’s possible involvement in the film.

“I think every police officer during their career are subject to investigations. The overwhelming number of allegations are always found to be unfounded,” Milian said.

Milian said that ever since Verdugo’s sexual orientation was revealed in 2004, he has dealt with discrimination and harassment.

“I think when you have a certain lifestyle in the 21st century, you’re always going to be subject to heightened scrutiny,” Milian said.

Some might say that a sex video scandal could help fuel Verdugo’s celebrity as an interior designer, NBC 6’s Sharon Lawson reported. Dan Renzi, a former reality TV star and the editor of Express newspaper, said he does not think design is where Verdugo’s heart is.

“Even when we were asking questions about his career in the interior design field, he kept referring to his career as a police officer being his true love,” Renzi said.

The Hollywood Police Department did not comment about the internal investigation or what could happen next, Lawson reported.

Milian said he is prepared to defend Verdugo’s record and outstanding contribution to the community.