California high-speed rail consultants billed taxpayers for late-night rides
Summary
Consultants working for California's High-Speed Rail project billed taxpayers for late-night Lyft rides to and from the project CEO’s home in Folsom, California. An inspector general report and expense reviews showed a lack of clear documentation and approval for these trips amid ongoing concerns about the project's spending and management.Key Facts
- Two consultants, one from a law firm and one from the financial advisory firm KPMG, expensed late-night Lyft rides starting or ending at the High-Speed Rail CEO Ian Choudri’s residence.
- The rides happened between September 2024 and January 2026, including trips after 1 a.m.
- The expenses did not clearly explain the business purpose or who was present at the CEO’s home.
- Ian Choudri’s wife works for KPMG, which has raised questions about connections between consultants and the CEO.
- California’s high-speed rail project has spent billions but has not yet laid any track or completed the planned connections.
- The state lost $4 billion in federal funding due to missed deadlines, and the project could run out of money by the end of 2027.
- The project paid over $250 million to just four consulting firms over two years.
- California rules require travel expenses to have a valid business reason and proper approval, but the inspector general found repeated failures in oversight.
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