Omar Benjamin, who has been on paid administrative leave for nearly a month, retired on Monday. A news release says Benjamin's departure is effective immediately.

The San Francisco Chronicle ( http://bit.ly/SS4D9Y) says acting executive director Deborah Ale Flint will continue to direct day-to-day operations.

Benjamin got caught up in the scandal in which $4,500 in public funds were used for a party at a strip club.

Port maritime director James Kwon, who has also been on paid leave since mid-October, was reimbursed for the strip club outing in Houston.

He was entertaining about a dozen shipping industry executives and Benjamin attended the party.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com