Port Of Oakland Appoints New Executive Director Following Spending Scandal

OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Port of Oakland appointed a new executive director Thursday, six months after the previous director retired in the midst of an investigation into improper spending allegations.

Chris Lytle, the current executive director of the Port of Long Beach, will take over in Oakland on July 1, port officials said Thursday.

Lytle was chosen after a four-month search triggered by the departure in November of former executive director Omar Benjamin.

Benjamin came under fire last year during an investigation into an alleged $4,500 expenditure at a Houston strip club that was charged to the port by executives in 2008.

The expenditure had not been immediately noticed because the name on the receipt was "D. Houston, Inc.," which was later revealed to be the corporate name for Treasures Strip Club, according to port officials.

Benjamin and the port's maritime director, James Kwon, were placed on leave in October, and Benjamin retired in November.

Deborah Ale Flint, former director of aviation, will continue to serve as acting director until Lytle starts in July. After Lytle's arrival, Flint will continue in a senior port leadership position, port officials said.

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