SoCal Water Wholesaler's Manager On Leave Over Harassment Allegations

LOS ANGELES, CA — The general manger of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which manages water deliveries to agencies across the region, was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday amid allegations of harassment and creating a hostile work environment.

Adel Hagekhalil has denied any wrongdoing, insisting everyone in the office is treated fairly and respectfully. He was out of the country and not in attendance at Thursday's meeting of the MWD Board of Directors, which discussed the matter in closed session before announcing the decision to place Hagekhalil on paid leave.

"I want to reassure Metropolitan's staff and the public that our board is determined to act with strong unity and swiftness to protect everybody," MWD board Chairman Adán Ortega Jr. said in a statement after the decision was announced. "We've made some very difficult decisions, but we maintain our commitment to the policies and direction of this organization as we continue our important work to deliver water reliability to the 19 million people we serve."

Deven Upadhyay, MWD's assistant general manager and chief operating officer, was named interim general manager.

The allegations were made by the MWD's chief financial officer, Katano Kasaine. She made the complaint confidentially, but it was obtained and published by Politico.

Kasaine alleged that Hagekhalil had created a "toxic" work environment at MWD. She said she is "constantly scrutinized, sidelined and demeaned for standing up against issues that are not in Metropolitan's best interest."

Hagekhalil told the Los Angeles Times the allegations amount to "disagreements on management decisions."

"I have always upheld the highest standards of integrity and promote that for our entire staff at Metropolitan," he said. "I truly treat everybody with respect, always, and nobody in my office has been mistreated. Any claim to the contrary is false."

The MWD is the nation's largest water wholesaler, controlling deliveries to cities and agencies across Southern California, effectively overseeing water supplies for more than 19 million people.

City News Service