Police Reopen Investigation of Sexual Assault Claim

The Pasadena Police Department has reopened an investigation into allegations by a female city employee that she was sexually assaulted by a top official with the Pasadena Department of Water and Power, authorities said.

Police Cmdr. Mary Schander said the department has reopened the investigation of Kabirr Faal, 40, DWP assistant general manager, after the female city employee who made the allegations agreed to be interviewed by detectives.

In a claim filed July 28 with the Pasadena city clerk’s office, the woman alleges that in 1991 and 1992 she was subjected to harassment that included fondling and requests for sex. She claimed that the “harassment culminated in Mr. Faal raping me in his office” in September 1992.

Faal, who remains on the job during the investigation, said Tuesday that the allegations are “false and outrageous, and an effort to extort money from the city.”

In June, the department had closed a monthlong investigation into the alleged sexual assault after the female employee refused to talk to police and they were unable to substantiate the complaint.