More on former Metra exec's finances

The widow of former Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano has reportedly claimed in her federal bankruptcy case that he was supporting two other households outside their Crystal Lake home before his May suicide -- one in Palatine, one in Chicago.

Barbara Pagano's attorney stated in court last week, according to newspaper reports, that without trying to engage in “innuendo and hearsay,” he felt the shadowy dealings were complicating her bankruptcy. The debts from those two households were not listed in her original bankruptcy filing in September.

Pagano, who was under investigation at Metra for skimming money in unapproved vacation payments, committed suicide by stepping in front of a Metra commuter train in May.

Barbara Pagano, 54, and her attorney, James Mullally, did not return calls for comment.

The statement was reportedly made in federal court last week in Rockford. Pagano has been trying to keep her husband's $500,000 insurance policy and Metra pension out of the bankruptcy.

Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder, a member of the Metra board of directors, said she didn't believe Mrs. Pagano knew about the additional households, but they rang true with statements her husband made to the board that he was “trying to help a family member.”

“We knew something extraordinary changed his behavior the last two, three years,” Mulder said. “It just didn't seem logical. But I guess we'll never know” for certain what prompted the crisis that led to his malfeasance.

“My heart goes out to his wife,” Mulder said.