A legislator from California’s Central Valley is urging the resignation of Ian Choudri, the CEO of the state’s High Speed Rail project, amid his arrest for domestic violence and concerns over potential conflicts of interest. In a letter addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom, the lawmaker described Choudri’s leadership as an “insult” to the taxpayers.
Representative Alexandra Macedo, who serves parts of the San Joaquin Valley involved in the rail project, stated, “Given his arrest and the allegations against him, Mr. Choudri’s continued tenure would irreparably damage the public’s trust in their government.” Macedo is vocal about the impact of Choudri’s actions on public confidence.
Choudri took a leave of absence last week following reports of his arrest related to a domestic dispute involving his fiancée and teenage daughter. This incident occurred shortly after he participated in a press event with Newsom, highlighting the opening of a 150-acre construction site intended to expedite the rail project.
In the letter dated February 25, Macedo wrote, “The recent arrest of your hand-picked CEO Ian Choudri for domestic violence, in a case that reportedly involved abuse of a child, alongside troubling revelations about financial connections between his fiancée and a key contractor, makes his continued leadership untenable and disrespectful to taxpayers in the Central Valley and across California.”
Choudri has not been formally charged regarding the February 4 incident at his Folsom residence. Reports indicate he attempted to mediate a conflict between his fiancée, Lyudmyla “Mila” Starostyuk, and his teenage daughter.
The rail exec, who was appointed in August 2024, allegedly tried to intervene in a fight between fiancée Lyudmyla “Mila” Starostyuk and his teenage daughter.
A neighbor called police just before midnight after seeing Choudri, Starostyuk and the girl arguing in their front yard, according to people familiar with the incident. The 57-year-old allegedly tried to step in but was later arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.
Newsom confirmed at a press conference last week that Choudri is under investigation for not only the Feb. 4 incident but conflict of interest allegations surrounding Starostyuk’s work.
Starostyuk was hired last month by KPMG, the accounting services firm that has a $24 million contract with High Speed Rail, according to her LinkedIn.
“The board is going to appropriately investigate not only the issues that were brought to light but some of these broader issues as well,” the governor said at a public transportation-related news conference in the Bay Area,” Newsom said at a Feb. 19 press conference in the Bay Area.
Choudri’s attorney said Starostyuk’s work is unrelated to the rail project, according to KCRA.
“Ms. Starostyuk’s position is not affiliated with the high speed rail authority or any other rail authority in any capacity. Her role at her job is unrelated and concerns a completely different sector of business,” Choudri’s attorney Allen Sawyer said in a statement.
