["Not the Onion" urbanism news] Ex-Caltrain employee, contractor charged with building secret homes at train stations

REDWOOD CITY — A former high-level employee and a one-time contractor for Caltrain have been charged with felonies after being accused of building themselves secret mini-apartments inside two Peninsula train stations, all on the taxpayers’ dime, according to authorities and court records.

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One of the apartments — constructed inside Burlingame’s train station, built in 1894 and designated a historic landmark in California — reportedly featured a kitchen, shower, plumbing and security cameras. Prosecutors said the two defendants worked together to keep the invoices for the work below $3,000 each to avoid scrutiny and skirt procedures meant to discourage such fraud.

Spoiler: No photos. : (