Southern California's largest water supplier on Tuesday extended the administrative leave of its general manager and CEO while it investigates harassment claims against him.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's board voted Tuesday to extend Adel Hagekhalil's leave until Oct. 23. He had been scheduled to return Sept. 12, pending the results of the investigation.
In a public comment period ahead of a closed board session, Hagekhalil lambasted the investigation, noting that he had yet to be contacted by investigators 74 days into the process.
“It's now time for me to come back and be with you and take this journey again,” he said. “Over 74 days ago, you unfairly placed me on leave, and as of today, I still have not been contacted about the investigation.”
Met's board placed Hagekhalil on a 90-day leave on June 14 after Chief Financial Officer and Assistant General Manager Katano Kasaine accused him of harassment, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment.
Hagekhalil detailed Tuesday how he came into his role at a fraught time for the agency that was marked by harassment and retaliation complaints and had worked to change the culture. “Unfortunately, every action I took was faced with a frivolous complaint and leaks,” he said.
His lawyers said the fact that he had been denied access to his email and agency documents and had not been informed in advance about the agenda for the day’s closed session to discuss the investigation hampered his ability to participate and called the process into question.
At the meeting, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power former General Manager Marty Adams spoke in support of Hagekhalil, as did several members of environmental groups, some of whom have suggested the investigation is a conspiracy to topple a water conservationist.
"You had a change agent that was bringing in a different culture that needed to change, and the result is he is sitting in the audience with his lawyer,” said Conner Everts, representing the environmental group Southern California Watershed Alliance.
Rank-and-file agency employees also spoke at the meeting to decry more broadly what electrician Gonzalo Pantoja described as “the complete and total lack of accountability” for management. “Please note that those issues began long before Adel,” said fleet program manager Jolene Fuentes.
The board and leadership didn't comment on the investigation at the meeting, but spokesperson Rebecca Kimitch said in a statement that the investigation is being conducted by an ad hoc committee of the board and outside investigators and that the internal counsel is not involved.
Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay said he’s working to address the housing, safety and cultural issues raised by workers, citing meetings, a survey and a recent civility training for leadership.
“While everything isn't perfect, I do want to acknowledge that we have folks that are truly dedicated to tackling these issues,” he said.
The board will reconvene on the issue Oct. 22.
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