Metra hears reports on Pagano legacy

Two ethics reports delivered to the Metra board Friday labeled the late Executive Director Phil Pagano a “secretive” man responsible for “financial improprieties,” but they determined he was a lone wolf and that there was no widespread corruption in the rail agency.

The board fielded the two ethics reports on Pagano’s legacy at a meeting in Chicago. The annual report filed by the Hillard Heintze firm, serving as Metra’s interim inspector general, found no evidence of widespread fraud but was scathing on Pagano in a passage Director James Dodge highlighted for its “strong language.”

“The secretive Pagano documented very little and released information only when he had no other choice,” the “2010 Annual Report” read. It added that “over time, Pagano’s influence undermined the Metra organization in pervasive and destructive ways.”

The report, however, said it did not investigate allegations concerning Pagano but forwarded information to federal authorities. Pagano committed suicide in May.

Board members pointed out that reforms had been instituted reining in Metra executives and holding them to firm standards of behavior. They said that policy change was confirmed by the Blackman Kallick firm’s “Risk Management and Internal Controls Report,” which had been assigned to address Pagano’s aftermath.

Both reports are on the metrarail.com website.