A Northern California city manager has been placed on paid administrative leave after the leader of a nonprofit filed a complaint against him saying he tried to pressure her into a sexual relationship in exchange for public funds.

The San Leandro City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place Chris Zapata on paid leave while an independent investigator probes the complaint by Rose Padilla Johnson.

Padilla Johnson is the CEO of Davis Street Family Resource Center, which helps poor people in San Leandro access health services.

Padilla Johnson says in her complaint that Zapata subjected her to sexual harassment, political pressure and defamation.

Zapata denied any wrongdoing in a letter last week to the nonprofit's board of directors.

An email from The Associated Press requesting comment was not immediately answered Wednesday.