From the Breaking News Center:
Metra executive director Phil
Pagano has been placed on paid administration leave as the agency looks
into allegations of improper conduct.
The action was announced as
Metra board members held an emergency session this morning and hired
well-known Itasca lawyer James Sotos to conduct an independent
investigation into allegations that Pagano received unapproved
compensation.
Board Chairwoman Carole Doris said the board had
questions about whether procedure and policy were violated.
"It
is the board’s belief that we do not have adequate answers to these
questions," she said. "It’s a sad occasion for Metra."
Pagano, Metra’s gruff boss of
commuter rail operations for the
last 20 years, is under scrutiny for possible financial irregularities
involving an alleged "bonus" of $56,000, officials have said.
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