California High-Speed Rail CEO Resigns, Finance Director Steps In

Ian Choudri resigned Wednesday as chief executive of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and the board confirmed his exit at its Thursday meeting. He cited personal and family priorities, according to CalMatters, and the resignation took effect immediately.

The board named Joe Stephenshaw, who has directed the state Department of Finance since July 2022, to lead the agency on an interim basis, CBS Sacramento reported. Earlier this month the board had limited Choudri’s contracting authority after a state inspector general found problems with consultants’ travel billing. CBS reported that $592,000 in unapproved expenses was deemed unallowable.

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom said the governor is committed to delivering the nation’s first high-speed rail system and welcomed the announcements as a step toward accountability. The agency’s 2026 business plan puts the cost of the first phase at $126 billion, and the inspector general has warned it could run out of money as soon as December 2027 unless the state borrows billions, CBS reported.