Caltrain official lived in secret apartment built illegally inside train station
17 hours ago
- #public funds misuse
- #corruption
- #Caltrain scandal
- Joseph Navarro, former Caltrain deputy director, illegally built and lived in an apartment inside Burlingame Caltrain station using $42,000 in public funds.
- Navarro was sentenced to four months in county jail, two years of probation, and ordered to pay restitution to Caltrain.
- The apartment lacked personal touches but had essentials like a flat-screen TV, clothes, and exercise equipment.
- Navarro conspired with station manager Seth Worden to avoid oversight by keeping invoices under $3,000.
- Worden, who built a similar $8,000 apartment in Millbrae station, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and one year probation.
- An anonymous tip in 2022 led to Navarro's termination and criminal charges.
- Caltrain emphasized the misuse of public funds violates law, policy, and public trust, promising accountability.