California High-Speed Rail CEO Arrested

Ian Choudhury, the CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, was arrested at his home in Folsom earlier this month, facing allegations of domestic violence, as announced by officials on Monday.

The arrest took place shortly after midnight on February 4. Authorities detained Choudhury, who is 57, and his fiancée, Lyudmila Staroshuk, 46, for spousal assault. This incident occurred just hours after Choudhury appeared alongside Governor Gavin Newsom at a rail event in Kern County, where they celebrated the opening of a new 150-acre facility intended for the rail project.

Police reports indicate that the altercation involved Choudhury’s 17-year-old daughter, with claims that Staroshuk had locked her out of the house after an altercation where she allegedly pulled the teenager’s hair and pushed her. A third party called the police, but the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office ultimately decided not to file charges in the matter.

An agency spokesperson acknowledged the situation, stating that the high-speed rail authority is aware of the issue and is reviewing it.

Choudhury is among California’s top-paid state employees, earning $563,000 last year, according to payroll records. He has extensive experience within the transportation sector, including a prior role as senior vice president at design firm HNTB Corp.

The high-speed rail project itself has faced significant scrutiny since voters approved it in 2008. After 18 years of efforts, only 130 miles of track and 58 structures have been completed. The rail system aims to span approximately 500 miles, significantly cutting the travel time between San Francisco and Los Angeles to roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes.