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Metropolitan Water District Dismisses General Manager In Troubling Move by Board [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-01-30
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors yesterday voted in closed session to dismiss General Manager Adel Hagekhali, a development that environmentalists and ratepayer advocates said could presage a change in direction for the sprawling water distribution agency.
Hagekhalil had been on administrative leave pending the outcome of a misconduct investigation over allegations of sexual harassment. The Board did not release the results of the investigation.
In a statement, MWD’s Board said it “exercised its contractual right to terminate General Manager Adel Hagekhalil’s employment under the terms of his employment contract.”
The change was made effective immediately. The Board named Deven Upadhyay named as the Metropolitan general manager.
“We thank Mr. Hagekhalil for his contributions to Metropolitan,” board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said following the meeting where the decision was made. “With a more than 80% vote, the board took decisive steps to stabilize our organization and workforce, while doubling down on climate action and long-term water supply sustainability. We need to reinforce our focus on fulfilling our core mission and addressing the immediate challenges ahead.”
Through a unanimous vote, the board then voted to appoint Deven Upadhyay as general manager and will consider his employment contract in February.
"Metropolitan takes all allegations of discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment seriously,” Ortega claimed. “We are committed to maintaining a workplace environment that upholds the values of fairness, respect, and due process.”
C-WIN: General Manager’s dismissal should not be a motive for changing district policy
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