California High Speed Rail chief executive Ian Choudri resigns

Ian Choudri, the chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, resigned on Wednesday, October 28. The New York Post reported his resignation, citing CalMatters. CalMatters separately reported that the departure follows a travel scandal. The announcement occurred during a two-day meeting of the board that oversees the rail project. [1][2]

In a resignation email quoted by the New York Post, Choudri wrote that leaving was not an easy decision, calling his time leading the authority one of the most meaningful and rewarding chapters of his professional life. It remains unclear who will be appointed to take his place. [1]

The New York Post described the project as a 231 billion dollar rail system that has been delayed and faced scandal. As FTMQ News reported earlier, political opponents including Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton have previously criticized the project, with Hilton proposing to cancel it entirely. [1][7]

California is the most populous state in the United States, with a population exceeding 39 million people across an area of 163,696 square miles. It became the 31st state in the Union on September 9, 1850. [4][5]