California High-Speed Rail CEO Arrested After Event with Governor

Ian Choudri taken into custody on suspicion of domestic battery hours after public appearance with Newsom

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Ian Choudri, the chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, was arrested earlier this month at his Folsom home on suspicion of domestic battery, only hours after appearing with Gov. Gavin Newsom at a rail event in Kern County.

Why it matters

The arrest of the high-profile CEO raises questions about leadership and accountability at the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which has faced significant delays and cost overruns in building the state's ambitious bullet train project.

The details

Folsom police logs show Choudri, 57, was arrested shortly after midnight on Feb. 4 following a domestic disturbance call. Officers responded to Choudri's residence and took him into custody on suspicion of battery of a spouse, a misdemeanor. He was booked and later released from the Sacramento County Main Jail. It remained unclear Monday evening whether the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office had filed charges.

  • Choudri was arrested shortly after midnight on Feb. 4.
  • The arrest came only hours after Choudri joined Newsom at a High-Speed Rail Authority event in Kern County on Feb. 4.

The players

Ian Choudri

The 57-year-old chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, who was appointed to the position in August 2024. He has previously worked on large-scale construction projects in more than 18 countries.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California, who appeared with Choudri at a High-Speed Rail Authority event in Kern County on the day of Choudri's arrest.

California High-Speed Rail Authority

The state agency responsible for overseeing the construction of California's high-speed rail project, which has faced significant delays and cost overruns.

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What’s next

The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to file charges against Ian Choudri.

The takeaway

The arrest of the California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO raises concerns about leadership and accountability at the agency, which is overseeing the state's troubled high-speed rail project. The incident comes at a critical time for the project and could further undermine public confidence in the agency's ability to deliver the ambitious infrastructure plan.