South Bay : Building Inspector Facing Probe Quits

The embattled chief building inspector for Manhattan Beach has resigned amid charges that he sexually harassed two women who were under his supervision for about four years.

Mohamed Ganaba, 47, who had been on administrative leave since July, sent city officials a resignation letter last Thursday, the same day he was scheduled to appear before a Civil Service commission to answer the charges. In the letter, Ganaba denied any wrongdoing and said he was stepping down after eight years as a city employee because of unspecified personal reasons, said private attorney Catherine Hagen, who represents Manhattan Beach.

Ganaba could not be reached for comment, and his attorneys, Jim Goodman and Don Stansbarger, declined to discuss the case.

Building permit technicians Yvette Deans and Mary Llewellyn allege that over about four years, Ganaba made numerous unwanted sexual comments and advances toward them, sometimes using vulgar gestures and language.

In July, they filed lawsuits seeking nearly $30 million in damages from the city, Ganaba and his boss, Byron Woosley, who also resigned recently.

Besides the sexual harassment lawsuits, Hagen said, Ganaba also faces possible criminal charges stemming from allegations that he may have improperly taken money from individuals whose building projects later came before his office for approval. Manhattan Beach police are investigating the matter, she said.