Another staff shakeup at Dallas DA's office

DALLAS — District Attorney Susan Hawk abruptly fired three more people this week: Her handpicked community relations manager and legislative liaison, a tenured investigator and a highly specialized digital forensic examiner.

This latest round of forced departures is the most visible sign of continuing volatility at the DA's office under Hawk's leadership. Word of the firings traveled quickly in courthouse circles Wednesday, with many wondering if anybody's job is safe.

In March, Hawk suddenly fired her second-in-command, Bill Wirskye, saying their personalities clashed. Hawk had already forced out Jennifer Balido, her administrative chief who had only been on the job for six weeks.

"I'm disappointed to see that instability remains at the DA's office," said Balido, who was twice appointed to judicial posts by former Gov. Rick Perry. "Dallas County and the employees of Dallas County deserve better than that."

Hawk has not responded to a request for comment on this week's forced departures.

Several people familiar with the recent firings say employees have been called into meetings with Hawk without warning, told that they're fired, and offered no reason as to why it's happening. Employees of the DA's office have no civil service protection; they can't appeal a termination.

In the earlier fallout, Wirskye and Balido described an atmosphere of paranoia, suspicion and distrust under Hawk's leadership. They also questioned her competency and stability to lead the office.

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"There was a high level of suspicion that just made things unworkable," Wirskye told News 8 in March.

Sources tell News 8 that Hawk's first dismissal this week was Cristal Retana, who she hired in January as her community relations manager and legislative liaison.

Retana was closely associated with Hawk's chief political strategist, Mari Woodlief. Retana also handled media inquiries and open records.

She sent out her final news release outlining Hawk's "new potential projects" at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The circumstances of Retana's firing are unclear.

Sources tell News 8 that Hawk abruptly fired investigator Jeff Savage and digital forensic examiner Jonathan Hay without warning on Wednesday.

Savage worked for the DA's office for more than 26 years and was "10 months from being eligible to retire," he told News 8 via Facebook. There was "nothing bad in my file."

Hawk promoted him to lieutenant shortly after taking office.

"She was fine yesterday," he wrote.

Balido called Savage a "standup guy."

"He's given his life to law enforcement and he got promoted earlier this year, and now he's out the door," she said.

Hay came aboard at the DA's office last August. Hawk's predecessor, Craig Watkins, had hired Hay away from the Richardson Police Department to establish a digital forensic lab.

He was assigned to the Secret Service's North Texas Electronic Crimes Task Force, according to an online bio. Hay holds several computer and cell phone forensic certifications.

In the aftermath of Wirskye's dismissal, Hawk was forced to admit that she had sought treatment to quit taking prescription drugs while she was running for office in 2014. She left the campaign during that time, and had publicly claimed at the time that she was having back surgery.

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Hawk, who was sworn in on January 1, has consistently declined to comment since then. She has also repeatedly declined to publicly address the continuing turmoil in office.

Wirskye has previously further stated that Hawk had "lodged an unfair and untrue accusation of criminal conduct at me," accusations that he said she later withdrew.

Those familiar with the situation say Hawk accused Wirskye of taking money from state forfeiture funds, having a key made at a locksmith, and then using that key to break into her home and steal a risqué photo.

Hawk has denied making that accusation, labeling it as "gossip."

Wirskye now works as a high-ranking prosecutor at the Collin County District Attorney's Office. He was hired there within weeks of his departure from Dallas County.

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