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PHOENIX (AP) - Newly elected Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles says his firing of a dozen employees reflects a cultural shift in prosecution.

The Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/WilwuE ) says the firings have been dubbed the "Pinal County Massacre" in the legal community.

Most of those fired Monday are attorneys, and Voyles says he is committed to changing a deep-rooted culture that resulted in release of violent offenders.

Former County Attorney Jim Walsh called that a false charge during the general election, which resulted in Voyles defeating Walsh.

Voyles also says an investigation into an alleged employee theft figured in some of the terminations.

Walsh says he already asked Casa Grande police to investigate after potential problems surfaced fees and that an employee chose to resign rather than be placed on leave.