The Region : Lie Costs Fire Chief-Designate His Job

Gary Schmitz, a Northern California firefighter who was chosen last month as Santa Ana’s new fire chief, was withdrawn from consideration when it was discovered that he had lied on his application, City Manager David Ream said. Schmitz, chief of the South County Fire Protection Authority in the San Mateo County community of San Carlos, stated on his application that he has a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. A check by a recruiting firm, however, revealed that he is not a college graduate, Ream said. “We have broken off our discussions with Gary Schmitz,” Ream said, admitting that the situation is embarrassing. “It was a mutual decision.” Schmitz admitted he lied on his application, saying he has accumulated 140 units of credit but does not have a degree.