High-Speed Rail Wastes $600K on Lavish Trips | San Diego News

California’s High-Speed Rail Authority is under fire after an inspector general’s report uncovered nearly $600,000 in questionable travel expenses—including gym visits, nightclub trips, escape rooms, and tiki bars—paid to consultants over two years. The report flagged dozens of first-class flights and vague justifications like “typical M-F week” trips, with no evidence meetings couldn’t have been virtual. Amid a project ballooning from $33 billion to $126 billion with no tracks laid, the watchdog warns this misuse of taxpayer money undermines accountability. The agency vows to tighten controls, improve documentation, and recover misused funds—but disputes requiring full justification for every trip. A follow-up review is scheduled for March 27 to see if reforms stick. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2026/09/16/california-high-speed-rail-consultants-flew-first-class-visited-bars-and-a-nightclub-on-taxpayers-money More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ad2ab9b897a82d59 Report issues to [email protected].