Source: New York Post
The CEO of California’s beleaguered high-speed rail project is facing the fallout of a spending scandal after the High-Speed Rail Board voted Friday to cancel his contracting powers — after which he refused to answer reporters in person. The board voted 7-2 to strip Chief Executive Ian Choudri of his sole authority to sign and manage contracts under $25 million and to require the agency’s in-house attorneys to approve or change any new or existing contracts. “I wanted to call this special meeting to demonstrate just that we are not going to ignore, and we’re not going to sweep under the rug issues that are affecting this organization and impacting the people of California,” Board Chair Steve Kawa said at the meeting.