Latest news with #Caltrain
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Ex-Caltrain employees sentenced to jail for building ‘secret apartments' in train stations, cheated taxpayers
In San Mateo, California, a runaway train of embezzlement and theft found its way back into the station. Former Caltrain employees Seth Andrew Worden and Joseph Vincent Navarro were sentenced to 60 days and 120 days in county jail, respectively, for embezzlement of public funds. Navarro, previously Caltrain deputy director, used $42,000 of public funds to build an apartment for himself at Burlingame Station into a secret apartment. He directed Worden to hire contractors to remodel office space and keep the invoices under $3,000 to avoid detection, as going over that amount would require higher approval. Worden, a Caltrain station manager, used the same methods to embezzle $8,000 — remodeling a part of Millbrae station in 2019. He was caught just a year later in 2020 and fired when station employees found the living space. Navarro maintained his secret apartment — with its brand new kitchen, shower, heating, plumbing and security cameras — up until 2022. Caltrain received an anonymous tip exposing his living situation. Together, they embezzled over $40,000 of public funds. "When it's public money that is being stolen by a public employee, that's egregious. That takes it up a level," San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told ABC7 News. Worden was also sentenced to pay $8,000 in restitution and to receive substance abuse treatment and counseling — while Navarro has been ordered to surrender to surrender to authorities for his jail sentence on Aug. 2. A restitution hearing in his case has been scheduled for Aug.15 according to CBS News. The case also reflects the extreme cost pressures facing Bay Area residents. With median home prices hovering near $1.25 million according to Re/MAX and rents among the highest in the nation, housing insecurity can push individuals toward unconventional — and sometimes unlawful — solutions. While the Caltrain scheme was deliberate fraud, as framed by the prosecution, it also highlights how a lack of affordable housing and oversight can create openings for opportunistic behavior in public systems. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Push underway to restore weekday service to Burlingame Caltrain station amid growth
Take a walk down Broadway in Burlingame, and it's clear that Ross Bruce knows the lay of the land better than most. "A lot of our businesses have been here for a lot of years," he said. "We're standing in front of the Royal Donut shop where I was a busboy there in 1961." He's a longtime real estate broker at AVR Realty, located on Broadway. And for the past 20 years, he says new residents, tenants, and business owners all find themselves surprised when they find out one fact about the area. "The train station is not open during the weekdays, when a train station is traditionally open," he said. Bruce would like to see that change, saying it's long overdue and much needed. "Before Caltrain started to cut back on our schedule, we had about 2,000 people a week in terms of ridership," he said. "With 800-1,000 new units of rentals, within walking distance of here, that figure would probably go up dramatically." There's a petition circulating Burlingame that is gaining speed, urging the city and Caltrain to bring back weekday service to the area, one that is seeing both commercial and residential development. Advocates like Bruce say reintroducing this vital transportation hub will benefit both the local economy and environment. "There have been a lot of promises over the years that if just one more thing was fixed, they'd give us our service back, so we're encouraging them to follow through with that," Bruce said. Caltrain closed the station to weekday service back in 2005 when the railway launched its express service. The reason? A safety requirement known as the holdout rule, which due to the layout of the Broadway Station in Burlingame, leads to traffic and safety challenges, according to Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman. "So, the decision at the time was to close the Broadway Station for weekday train travel and hold off until the grade separation could be completed so we could effectively move through the station, the holdout rule would be eliminated, and those traffic impacts and safety concerns would be resolved," he said. "When we have southbound trains, that means they're stopping the Broadway intersection for minutes at a time. Now that we've got four trains per hour per direction, you can see how complicated that would get." But 20 years later, the grade separation project has yet to break ground. "There was a pretty significant jump in the funding estimate for the project last fall," said Burlingame Mayor Peter Stevenson. "We've been working with different agencies – Caltrain, the transit authority at the county level, and obviously the state level folks – on reassembling our plan for securing the funding to make that project a reality." Stevenson said the grade separation project remains the top priority, which likely needs to come before weekday service can resume. "I love the discourse and the dialogue that the community engagement brings, and I hope that continues. But right now, our plan is really, we've got to stay focused on the grade separation," he said. "Opening a station is a difficult thing if it's at grade because of the congestion and the safety issues." CBS News Bay Area asked Lieberman if there is a world where weekday service could resume before the grade separation project is complete. "It's hard to see that. Ultimately, I don't want to say never say never, but the big concern is that if we're providing that service, we want to be doing so safely, we want to be doing so without having an undue traffic impact on the neighborhood. Once we're convinced that we can do that the right way, I think we'll be happy to move forward." From Bruce's perspective, the timetables continue to shift – so he believes the order of operations needs to change. "The grade separation, which has been on infinity hold, and then we've got 20 years' worth of promises from Caltrain offering to restore our service. So, now, there's no real reason not to restore the service," he said. "We've got pretty much everything we need already here. It would require very little money to change it over to full service."
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Former Caltrain employee who admitted to building homes inside stations sentenced
A former Caltrain employee has been sentenced after being convicted for his role in a scheme where he built homes inside stations, including one for himself, prosecutors said. According to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's office, 63-year-old Seth Andrew Worden received a sentence of two months in county jail and one year probation at a hearing on Monday. In January, Worden pleaded no contest to misdemeanor embezzlement, as part of a deal with prosecutors in exchange for testimony against 67-year-old Joseph Vincent Navarro, who was also charged in the case last year. Worden was also sentenced to pay $8,000 in restitution and to receive substance abuse treatment and counseling. Worden was a Caltrain station manager employed by TASI, which the agency has a contract with to provide rail services. Navarro was Caltrain's deputy director of operations. According to prosecutors, Navarro directed Worden to use public funds to convert a portion of the Burlingame station into Navarro's personal residence in 2019 to 2020 without authorization. Worden hired contractors to remodel a part of a station which had been used as office space. Among the changes made to the station included a kitchen, shower, heating, plumbing and security cameras. Prosecutors said invoices were kept below a $3,000 threshold to avoid detection. Navarro used the Burlingame station as his residence until he was fired in 2022, after the agency received an anonymous tip. According to the DA's office, $42,000 was spent on remodeling the station for Navarro. Prosecutors said Worden used $8,000 in public finds to remodel a portion of the Millbrae station into a personal residence for himself in 2019. The following year, Worden was fired after Caltrain employees discovered the living space. "The misuse of public funds for private use is a violation of the law, Caltrain policy and the public's trust," Caltrain executive director Michelle Bouchard told CBS News Bay Area after the pair were indicted in March 2024. "Caltrain investigates every claim of such misconduct, and in cases where there is evidence of unlawful conduct by an employee or a contractor, we immediately act to rectify the situation and hold the individuals who are responsible accountable." Navarro was convicted Apr. 30 of felony theft and embezzlement of public funds following an eight-day trial. Prosecutors said he is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
San Francisco Chronicle
04-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
California bill allowing more housing near transit stops narrowly passes Senate
State Sen. Scott Wiener's bill to legalize mid-rise apartments around major transit stops squeezed through the state Senate Tuesday, five years after his previous attempt died in the same chamber. Senate Bill 79 would allow taller, denser projects — whether housing or commercial — to be built within a half-mile of some transit stops, with the most generous bonuses reserved for projects near major systems like BART, Caltrain and parts of the Los Angeles Metro. The maximum height and density would depend on how close a project is to a transit stop, and the type of transit it's near. Most projects would likely be buildings between four and six stories, said Michael Lane, state policy director with urban policy think tank SPUR, which backed the bill. The bill would also allow projects built on land owned by transit agencies to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act, a law that critics say often leads to yearslong development delays, if they include an improvement to the transit infrastructure. In a nail-biting session in which the bill at first didn't have enough support — that is, until some members showed up at the last minute to pass it — SB 79 received the exact number of votes it needed to pass the state Senate. It still needs to get through the Assembly to become law. But its passage in the first chamber reflects a potential shift in legislators' willingness to push through housing bills over the opposition of cities — and even some of its Democratic members. The shift illustrates how housing affordability has become an increasingly vital political issue — particularly in the Bay Area, where all but one of the senators representing the region supported the bill. California renters continue to be burdened at some of the highest rates in the nation, with the cost of building housing far above that of other states. Wiener's last attempt at a transit-oriented housing bill, which was more expansive and would have also allowed for denser housing near job centers, died in the Senate by three votes in 2020. The lawmaker said that this time, the legislation is 'nuanced and surgical,' focusing largely on major transit systems. Smaller transit systems, such as those without dedicated bus lanes or signal priority, wouldn't be covered by the bill. 'California urgently needs to build more homes to bring down costs, and building them near transit provides our public transportation systems with an urgently needed infusion of new riders,' Wiener said. 'This is an idea whose time has come.' A portion of the homes built through SB 79, would have to be set aside for lower-income households, as determined by either local law or state density requirements. Supporters of the bill, which include a number of California YIMBY groups, said SB 79 would simultaneously address housing, transit and the environment. It would allow for housing within walking distance of trains, light rails and buses, they argued, reducing residents' reliance on cars and giving a boost to the state's struggling transit systems. 'These are not skyscrapers that we are asking for,' Lane of SPUR said. 'It's just that kind of density that can help our transit systems work throughout the Bay, or even outside of the larger cities where we do have that robust transit.' But dozens of California cities, including Napa, Palo Alto, San Rafael and Walnut Creek, staunchly oppose the bill, saying it would effectively contradict their own housing plans by letting developers build at a scale they never intended for their neighborhoods. 'There is already accumulating data that purport to show that overriding local control like this, given that most local housing elements include state housing mandates, has not resulted in needed housing,' Alice Fredericks, legislative committee chair of the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers, said in a statement. 'SB 79 further eviscerates local control without even pretending to be in service of filling the need for housing.' Wiener said he took such concerns into account. SB 79 would allow cities and counties to create an 'alternative plan' that trims the density around one transit stop in exchange for boosting density along another, as long as this doesn't lower the number of feasible units. And whatever homes were built would generally still have to follow other local development rules and go through environmental review, unless the developer used a separate streamlining law such as SB 423. Still, some of the bill's strongest critics were Wiener's fellow Democrats. Some said on Tuesday that California's transit systems, many of which are still struggling to regain ridership post-COVID, are not yet robust enough to justify building housing nearby. Others expressed concern that the bill doesn't do enough to prevent displacement or build subsidized housing. If members of the state Assembly take those concerns seriously, they could lead SB 79 to the same fate as Wiener's last transit-oriented housing bill.
San Francisco Chronicle
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Coldplay at Stanford Stadium: Prepare for traffic, fireworks and big crowds
Coldplay is set to launch the next leg of its record-breaking Music of the Spheres world tour this weekend with two sold-out performances at Stanford Stadium, marking the band's only Northern California appearances this year. The British rock group — singer Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion — is scheduled to perform Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, in support of its latest album, 'Moon Music,' released in October. Originally launched in 2022, the Music of the Spheres tour recently became the first by a rock band to gross more than $1 billion, joining Taylor Swift's Eras tour in reaching that milestone. Fans can expect a mix of Coldplay classics — including 'Yellow,' 'Viva La Vida' and 'A Sky Full of Stars' — along with new material from the band's 10th studio album. If you're planning to attend, here's what to know before you go: When to arrive and what to expect at the venue The parking lots and box office open at 2 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. each night at Stanford Stadium, which holds just over 50,000 people. Willow is set to open the show around 5:25 p.m. While set times may vary slightly, Coldplay is expected to begin shortly after the opener, probably between 6:30 and 7 p.m. The venue, which typically serves as home to Stanford University's football team, warns there will be fireworks throughout the performance, with a grand finale just before the 10 p.m. curfew. Getting there: Driving, directions and parking Stanford Stadium is located on the university campus, with access via El Camino Real. Drivers should turn onto Sam McDonald Road to reach the venue directly. Parking is available near the track and field stadium or at Town & Country Village, which is less than a mile from the entrance. Ride-hailing drop-off and pickup zones will be clearly marked near the stadium. Be prepared for delays after the show due to high demand. Traffic will be heavy. Palo Alto police advise giving yourself extra time to arrive and park. Taking Caltrain Caltrain is encouraging concertgoers to take the train to Palo Alto Station, which is within walking distance of the stadium. Staff will be on-site to assist riders. The last northbound train is scheduled to depart at 11:58 p.m. and the last southbound train at 12:56 a.m. There will be no additional train service and no service at Stanford Station. Caltrain operates on a proof-of-payment system, and tickets must be purchased in advance at machines or through the Caltrain mobile app. Ticket availability Though primary tickets are sold out, resale options remain available, with prices for Saturday's show starting at $267 on StubHub. Sunday seats begin at $242. Weather forecast Prepare for warm, sunny days and cooler nights this weekend. Saturday is expected to be sunny with a high near 87 degrees, and light winds, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dipping to around 55 degrees. Sunday will be a bit cooler, with sunny skies and a high near 75 degrees. Sunday night will also be mostly clear, with a low around 52 degrees. Be sure to bring sunscreen, stay hydrated and consider packing a light jacket for the evening. Bag policy Stanford enforces a clear bag policy. Approved bags include: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, maximum size 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Small clutches with a maximum size of 4.5 by 6.5 inches) are also allowed. Unapproved bags must be returned to your vehicle or checked, if that service is available. Can I bring food or drinks? Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Concessions will be available inside the stadium, including vegetarian and vegan options. Nearby areas including downtown Palo Alto and California Avenue have several late-night food options if you're hungry after the show. Is merchandise available at the venue?
