U.S.TOP STORY
California high-speed rail chief quits amid spending questions
State auditors say employees at four consulting firms billed the authority for nearly six hundred thousand dollars in unallowable travel between twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-six; the trains remain theoretical.
On air: Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The New York Times: “California’s High-Speed Rail Chief Quits Amid Questions About Spending”, with reporting from SFist.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 2:27 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: California.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The New York TimesCalifornia’s High-Speed Rail Chief Quits Amid Questions About Spending
- SFistCalifornia High-Speed Rail CEO Resigns Over Alleged Misuse of Taxpayer Funds October 29, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorCalifornia's high-speed rail chief, Ian Choudri, has resigned, weeks after state investigators questioned the spending of six hundred thousand dollars by the agency.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSFist says some of those trips went to a nightclub, a gym, and an escape room. Still no train to take them there.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd some went to Folsom, where he has a home. So what did taxpayers get out of the escape room?
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA great getaway. It's the one thing on that line that actually left the station.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 30, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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