LOS ANGELES - (INT) - Metropolitan Water District manager Adel Hagekhalil has been given the boot after a seven-month investigation into allegations of discrimination that exposed deep divisions within California’s largest urban water supplier.

The agency’s chief financial officer, Katano Kasaine, accused him of sexism and alleged he had harassed, demeaned and sidelined her and created a hostile work environment. Hagekhalil denied the accusations, saying he did nothing wrong.

Hagekhalil was placed on leave in June 2024.

The new leader of the MWD will be Deven Upadhyay, who has been serving as interim general manager, according to a statement from the MWD on Wednesday (January 29th).

Story Date: February 6, 2025