Former California High-Speed Rail CEO Buys Cigars Hours After Resignation

Ian Choudri, the former chief of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, was seen purchasing cigars on Thursday, just hours after announcing his immediate resignation from the embattled project. He was photographed leaving a Folsom Total Wine & More with a box of Cohiba Red Dot cigars, dressed in a green zip-up jacket, black pants, and sneakers.

Choudri cited "important personal and family priorities" in his resignation email, obtained by Cal Matters, stating that leading the authority had been a "meaningful and rewarding chapter" of his professional life. His departure comes amid significant challenges and controversies surrounding the high-speed rail project.

This is not the first time Choudri has been in the spotlight. In February, he took a leave of absence following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence after an alleged dispute between his wife and daughter. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to prosecute the case.

Furthermore, a recent Inspector General audit revealed that the rail authority had paid out $592,900 in "unallowable" expenses by consultants. These expenditures included costs for rideshare trips to tiki bars and escape rooms, as well as first-class flight upgrades.

Choudri's annual compensation had exceeded $534,000. He had reportedly been facing disciplinary actions, including potential termination, due to the authority's financial mismanagement.

Joe Stephenshaw, the Director of Finance, has been appointed interim CEO of the project. A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom stated that Stephenshaw is considered the "right person" to oversee the authority during this interim period, citing his four years of experience guarding the state's budget.

The California High-Speed Rail project, originally envisioned as a transformative infrastructure undertaking, has faced persistent delays and cost overruns. Currently, the project is projected to run out of funding by 2027 without completing any track construction. The authority is seeking private investment to bridge the gap left by insufficient federal funding. The estimated total cost for the project ranges from $126 billion to $231 billion.