> who was probably way more candid than management would've liked.

This is me in interviews. I ask for a private interview session and give the real lowdown. I refuse to become one of these assholes that drops all this PR speak and then you take the job and realize you've been misled. I air a little laundry and give real day-to-day stuff. I think it benefits everyone to be candid, at least towards the later stage of interviewing. There should be an informed "Do you really want this job" moment for someone considering the move.

>and even if this guy had a chip on his shoulder and was intentionally lying to me

He's most likely honest. He also doesn't want to hire a primdonna who is expecting a cush job.