But he s losing allies and political clout at an alarming rate. Critics say he sends mixed messages, favors some deputies over others and often cares more about politics than prosecutions. Pfingst has fired two members of his gangs unit a deputy and an investigator for lying. If you lie, you die, says Pfingst, who granted an exclusive interview to San Diego Magazine. It s that simple.
Integrity is the critical component.
I tell every new hire what they say or do must be treated like gold, taken to a bank and put in a vault. Anything less is unacceptable. If you lie, you will be fired. Pfingst did not, however, fire two administrators whose widely debated actions culminated in the August prison purge. Keith Burt, who tried four gang members in the Hartless case and was once the number-three ranking member of Pfingst s team, did take a voluntary demotion.