Billions have been spent on the high speed rail scam. Schwarzenegger admitted he lied about the costs and potential ridership. The public was given a map showing where the train was going to be built. That has dramatically changed. We were told it would cost $33 billion—now it is over $200 billion. We were told it would be finished, L.A. to San Fran by 2020. Now they are only building Merced to Bakersfield, without projections of cost to finish, cost for a ticket and ridership. Oh, the complete system can be finished anywhere from 2045 to 2100.
So many lies and misrepresentations. Now, Congressman Kiley has called for an FBI investigation—too many lies not to be known in advance. Someone is cheating us—is it criminal?
Rep. Kiley calls for FBI to investigate California high-speed rail project; rail authority responds
Lindsay Weber, KCRA, 3/3/25 https://www.kcra.com/article/rep-kiley-fbi-request-california-high-speed-rail/64042393
California Congressman Kevin Kiley on Tuesday formally requested that new FBI Director Kash Patel open an investigation into the state’s high-speed rail project. Shortly after, the California High-Speed Rail Authority responded, saying it welcomed the investigation.
In a letter shared on social media platform X, Kiley called the high-speed rail project an issue that deserves Patel’s attention. The request for an investigation comes one month after President Donald Trump called it the “worst managed project” he’s ever seen and said he would also investigate it. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation also announced a review of the project last month.
The bullet train between San Francisco and Los Angeles was originally passed by voters as Proposition 1A in 2008 with an estimated $33 billion price tag. It has since swelled to a cost of more than $120 billion, and most of the money needed to complete it has yet to materialize. To date, $13 billion has been spent, according to the state.
“Nearly seventeen years ago, California and the United States were sold on the dream of high-speed rail in California. Originally projected to cost $33 billion and scheduled to be completed by 2020, that dream has become a nightmare,” Kiley wrote in a letter to Patel.
Kiley pointed out how the project’s cost estimate has grown by more than $100 billion and the project has moved its deadlines.
“Because the project has consumed billions in federal funding, the FBI has both the authority, and I would argue the responsibility, to pursue these questions and deliver answers to the American people,” Kiley wrote. “The Public Integrity Division is uniquely qualified to root out any corruption, recover stolen funds, and restore confidence that our tax dollars are being stewarded carefully.”
The California High-Speed Rail Authority last gave an update to state lawmakers in March 2024. In that hearing, project leaders could not provide an estimated completion date for the original vision pitched to voters. The CEO of the project also said the price tag was up to $128 billion, a 13% increase from the previous year’s projections. Read more about that meeting here. Lawmakers are expected to get another update this spring.
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The California High-Speed Rail Authority responded to Kiley’s call, saying it looks forward to working with federal partners. It said the project has been audited over 100 times and every dollar is accounted for.
KCRA reached out to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which shared additional background information on the project, saying that accountability is a top priority.
“Right now, 171 miles are under design and active construction, creating over 14,600 high-quality jobs and engaging more than 880 small businesses,” a spokesperson said. “This is not just a project; it’s an economic engine for California.”
Kiley had questioned the project’s spending, asking “How is it possible to have spent over $13 billion without a single station opening?”
Officials for the high-speed rail project said of the $13 billion investment, $10.5 billion has come just from the state of California. The project has also generated $22 billion in economic impact, primarily in the Central Valley. Officials also said the majority of the 500-mile route between San Francisco and Los Angeles is environmentally cleared and shovel-ready.
A spokesperson for the project also touted the authority’s history of oversight, saying the project has undergone 15 compliance audits by the Federal Railroad Authority, 60 quality management reviews by the Federal Rail Authority, 11 audits conducted by the California State Auditor, one audit from the state controller, four audits from the Office of Inspector General, 17 legislative budget reviews and 92 internal audits.
Patel has yet to publicly respond to the request for an investigation.
Schwarzenegger’s lies from the start of this fiasco too should be investigated. He admitted quilt, he should pay the penalty.