California high-speed rail consultants billed taxpayers for late-night rides

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 21:24 · Archive

Consultants for California's high-speed rail project expensed late-night rideshare trips to and from the CEO's home.

Consultants for California's high-speed rail authority have billed taxpayers for late-night rideshare trips to and from CEO Ian Choudri's home in Folsom, according to expense records reviewed by CBS California. The two highly paid consultants, Denver attorney Brent Butzin and KPMG managing director Thierry Prate, submitted around a dozen Lyft rides each to or from the residential street where Choudri owns a home. Many involved late-night or early-morning pickups, including two after 1 a.m. Another dozen rides were expensed to nearby Folsom restaurants and bars.

The receipts do not establish who attended any gatherings, what business discussions took place, or whether Choudri was present. The expenses were vaguely described in internal communications as 'related to work with Ian'. The New York Post reports that when a rail authority staffer questioned the expenses, Butzin argued that Choudri had requested his presence. Choudri earns $638,943 annually as CEO of the troubled project. His wife also works for KPMG.

These late-night rides are part of a broader investigation by the High-Speed Rail inspector general, which found nearly $600,000 in 'unallowable' consultant expenses. The audit identified wasteful spending including rideshare trips to Tiki bars and an escape room, and first-class flight upgrades. The revelations add to scrutiny of the multibillion-dollar project, which faces lengthy delays and massive cost overruns. The rail authority did reject one $94.39 pizza delivery order submitted for reimbursement.

How it is being reported

• High speed rail consultants took mystery late-night trips from CEO’s home on taxpayer’s dime: reportCalifornia High Speed Rail bigwigs reportedly billed taxpayers for unexplained late-night trips to and from CEO Ian Choudri’s Folsom home, along with rides to local bars and restaurants — as reps face tough questions about nearly $600,000 in blown expenses revealed in a recent audit. Two rail consultants, Denver-based Nossaman LLP attorney Brent Butzin and...New York Post · 9 Oct, 21:09
• California high-speed rail consultants billed taxpayers for late-night ridesCBS California Investigates obtained receipts behind the watchdog's findings of wasteful spending, revealing previously undisclosed connections to the high-speed rail CEO.CBS News · 9 Oct, 15:46

In this story: Ian Choudri · Brent Butzin · Thierry Prate · California High-Speed Rail Authority · KPMG · Folsom · California

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