California High-Speed Rail Board Strips CEO of Contract Authority: Contracts Under $25 Million Now Require In-House Legal Review
On October 9, 2026, the Board of Directors of the California High-Speed Rail Authority voted 7-2 at a special meeting in Sacramento to strip Chief Executive Officer Ian Choudri of his sole authority to sign and manage contracts under $25 million: from now on, the Authority's in-house attorneys must approve or change any new or existing contracts. Contracts above $25 million already require a vote of the Board.
The vote was a direct response to the inspector general's September 15 investigation report, which found $680,500 in consultant travel that had not been approved in advance and unallowable reimbursements for trips to gyms, a nightclub, cigar lounges and other questionable destinations. Board Chair Steve Kawa told reporters he had called the special meeting to demonstrate "that we are not going to ignore, and we're not going to sweep under the rug, issues that are affecting this organization and impacting the people of California," and that the decision "adds additional eyes and ears and authority" over contracting.
Chief Financial Officer Jamey Matalka told the Board that the Authority has paused all travel payments to the four consulting firms in question, is reviewing their claims, and has begun training staff, executives and consultants on travel policies. The agency is seeking to recoup all questionable travel payments, he said.
Choudri told board members the agency has taken disciplinary actions against some consultants and said he would "take full responsibility and accountability to fix if there was something broken in the system." During the meeting, expense records provided by whistleblowers to the media showed consultants billing for rides to and from the street in Folsom where Choudri owns a home, some of them after 1 a.m. Choudri left the meeting without answering reporters' questions.
Authority spokesperson Daniela Contreras said: "Only travel that is pre-approved, within contract scope and consistent with state regulations will be eligible for reimbursement."
Source: California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors special meeting, October 9, 2026; CalMatters reporting.
Source: 加州高速铁路局董事会特别会议
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：弗雷斯诺河高架桥航拍（加州高速铁路局图）。Aerial view of the Fresno River Viaduct. (California High-Speed Rail Authority)
