California exec built hidden apartment in historic train station with $38,000 in public funds

Burlingame, California – A San Mateo County jury on Wednesday found former Caltrain deputy director Joseph Navarro guilty of misappropriating public funds, concluding he illegally used taxpayer money to build a private apartment inside the historic Burlingame train station.

Navarro was convicted on one felony count for converting a portion of the station into a fully furnished living space — complete with a bedroom, gym, and living room — between 2019 and 2021. Prosecutors said he spent roughly $38,000 in public funds on the project, bypassing oversight by keeping individual invoices under $3,000, the threshold for requiring additional approval.

The jury deliberated for several hours after closing arguments on Tuesday and returned its verdict Wednesday afternoon. Jurors also determined that the charges were filed within the statute of limitations — a key point of contention in the case.

“This is a case about abuse of power and abuse of authority,” said Deputy District Attorney Joseph Cannon during closing arguments. “Turning a historic train station into your personal crash pad is 100% a conflict of interest. That’s just common sense.”

Navarro’s defense attorney, Andrew Vandeveld, argued that his client had received implicit authorization from his supervisor, Michelle Bouchard. Vandeveld cited testimony from a Caltrain employee who recalled Bouchard asking Navarro in 2019, “How is the apartment coming at Burlingame?” — suggesting she was aware of and approved the work.

However, Bouchard denied ever discussing the apartment with Navarro. Cannon countered that if Navarro truly had permission, he would have identified Bouchard as the authorizing party when questioned. “But he doesn’t do that,” Cannon said. “Because he was about to get fired, and he knew he didn’t have authorization.”

Navarro’s co-defendant, Seth Worden — a contractor with TransAmerica Services — previously accepted a plea deal for constructing the unauthorized apartment. Prosecutors said Navarro instructed Worden to keep the renovations discreet.

The trial also included testimony from Navarro’s former girlfriend, who stayed at the station apartment while recovering from surgery. Cannon pointed to this as further proof that the space was not a legitimate office: “Who moves their girlfriend into their office if it’s a legitimate office?”

Vandeveld painted Navarro as a devoted employee who worked 80-hour weeks and was constantly on call. “It takes a special commitment, and it takes a special sacrifice,” he said. “He loved his job.”

On the issue of timing, the defense argued that Caltrain should have been aware of the apartment as early as 2019, given that invoices were submitted and the apartment key was openly accessible. But the jury sided with the prosecution, determining that the charges were brought within the legal time frame.

Navarro faces up to four years in state prison when sentenced on June 11. However, District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe noted that the judge could also opt for probation, depending on how the court weighs the circumstances.

“We’re very pleased that the jury was able to see through the defense,” Wagstaffe said. “They did the right thing in finding him guilty.”