City Attorney Wadden Placed on Administrative Leave

After its seventh closed-session meeting to discuss City Attorney Robert Wadden's employment with the city, the Manhattan Beach City Council reported Wednesday that Wadden has been placed on one week's administrative leave.

The four council members at the Tuesday afternoon meeting, Mayor Richard Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem Nick Tell, and council members Wayne Powell and Amy Howorth, voted unanimously to place Wadden on leave. Councilman David Lesser did not attend the meeting.

"Council unanimously was of the opinion that the action reported was appropriate. Past that, we can't answer [any questions], as it is a personnel issue," Montgomery told Manhattan Beach Patch.

Wadden's performance has been the subject of closed-session meetings on March 1, 4, 11, 15, 22, 25 and 29. Wednesday's report that Wadden was placed on administrative leave was the first reportable action to come from all of those meetings.

Wadden was seen exiting City Hall shortly thereafter, bags and belongings in hand.

The City Council plans to hold another closed meeting about Wadden's performance on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.