The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to allow more time to complete an investigation into accusations against General Manager Adel Hagekhalil, who was placed on leave more than four months ago in response to harassment allegations by the agency’s chief financial officer. The board’s decision will extend Hagekhalil’s leave of absence until an investigator has finished interviews and submitted a report on the findings. … The outcome is expected to determine whether Hagekhalil is fired or reinstated as the top manager of California’s largest urban water supplier. During more than three years on the job, he has called for transforming the agency and has focused on adaptation to climate change, in part by reducing reliance on water supplies from distant sources and investing in local water supplies.

Related news release:

• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Metropolitan general manager’s administrative leave extended as investigation continues