California High-Speed Rail CEO Takes Leave After Arrest

Incident comes amid ongoing controversies for the long-delayed, multibillion-dollar project.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Ian Choudri, the CEO of California's high-speed rail project, has taken a leave of absence after he and his fiancée were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. The incident occurred just a day after Choudri joined the governor to announce a new logistics facility for the long-delayed and over-budget rail line connecting Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Why it matters

The California high-speed rail project has faced years of scrutiny, cost overruns, and political opposition, making Choudri's arrest the latest controversy to plague the highly contentious infrastructure endeavor.

The details

Folsom police arrested Choudri and his fiancée, Lyudmyla Starostyuk, on February 4 after an unidentified person called 911 and accused Starostyuk of pulling a minor's hair and locking them out of their home. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office later declined to press charges.

  • The incident occurred on February 4, 2026.
  • Choudri joined Governor Gavin Newsom the day before the arrest to announce a new logistics facility for the high-speed rail project.

The players

Ian Choudri

The CEO of California's high-speed rail project who was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery along with his fiancée.

Lyudmyla Starostyuk

The fiancée of Ian Choudri who was also arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who joined Choudri the day before his arrest to announce a new logistics facility for the high-speed rail project.

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What’s next

The agency did not say how long it anticipates the internal investigation into Choudri's arrest to take.

The takeaway

The arrest of the California high-speed rail CEO is the latest setback for a project that has faced years of cost overruns, political opposition, and intense scrutiny, underscoring the challenges of building major infrastructure in the state.