U.S.SPECIAL REPORT

California high-speed rail CEO stripped of contracting power

The CEO declined to answer questions about spending at Friday's public hearing before the board voted to revoke his contracting authority—he can no longer sign contracts independently.

On air: Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman on BBN Tonight
Published 6:55 PM ET, Saturday, October 10, 2026

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Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Tonight at 6:55 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “CEO of California high-speed rail project loses contracting power in key vote as spending scandal grows”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 6:55 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman.

The real story

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New York PostCEO of California high-speed rail project loses contracting power in key vote as spending scandal grows

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTime to pay that off: this is a BBN special report.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe CEO of California's high-speed rail project refused to answer questions at a public hearing Friday.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe board then voted to strip him of spending power.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe New York Post reports the vote came as a spending scandal around the project keeps growing.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWho is affected? Californians who have waited years for a train and were promised a fast one.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey pay for it, and now they are watching the people running it.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe CEO can no longer sign contracts on his own. That authority now sits with the board.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe data does not say what the spending questions are, so we will not guess.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHe said nothing, at a hearing, about spending.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSilence is a choice. Officials make it often. I have watched ministers do it in four languages.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhat to watch: whether he answers anyone next time, and who the board puts in charge of the checkbook.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA fast train run by a slow answer.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFour hours of primetime and that is your best line.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI had a better one. I refused to answer.