Two Caltrain staff thought they’d the proper cover-up—till it got here crashing down. Joseph Vincent Navarro and Seth Andrew Worden have formally been sentenced for embezzling public funds to construct a secret condominium and transform station places of work, proper inside San Mateo County practice stations.
In response to Yahoo! Information, Navarro, a deputy director, used $42,000 in public funds to assemble a non-public condominium at Burlingame Station, putting in a full kitchen, heating, bathe, plumbing, and even surveillance cameras. In the meantime, Worden, a subordinate, adopted Navarro’s lead by utilizing $8,000 in stolen funds to renovate workplace area at Millbrae Station in 2019.
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Right here’s the way it went down: Navarro reportedly instructed Worden to rent outdoors contractors and be certain that no bill exceeded $3,000, hoping to remain under inner scrutiny limits. Worden’s unlawful challenge was found in 2020 when fellow Caltrain employees stumbled upon the surprising residing quarters.
As for Navarro, he was caught in 2022 after somebody submitted an nameless tip. Officers had been shocked to discover a full-blown condominium constructed with public {dollars} inside a transportation facility meant for commuters—not personal residing.
The Penalties: Jail Time and Restitution
Worden has been sentenced to 60 days in jail, and along with paying again the $8,000 he embezzled, he should additionally bear substance abuse remedy and counseling. Navarro, seen because the mastermind of the operation, obtained a 120-day jail sentence. He’s anticipated to give up to authorities by August 2 and can seem in court docket once more on August 15 for a restitution listening to.
