Issa Draws High Speed Rail Into Question

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, headed by Temecula's congressman, Darrell Issa, is examining California High Speed Rail Authority operations and use of federal funds. 

Issa, R-Vista, wrote on Monday to all current and former board members and executive leadership of the Rail Authority asking them to preserve documents, records and communications so they can comply with future document requests from the Reform Committee.

Chairman Issa’s letter informed the Rail Authority that the Reform Committee is focused on questions regarding the appropriate use of federal funds and allegations concerning possible conflicts of interest and mismanagement.

The Committee is also seeking to understand how the obligation of federal funds to the Rail Authority might prohibit use of federal funds for other ongoing transportation infrastructure projects. 

Allegations of conflicts of interest have surfaced regarding the board members of the Rail Authority while it was spending federal taxpayer money, Issa wrote in his letter. “I understand that these conflicts may have contributed to a pattern of weak oversight and mismanagement of the project,” he wrote. “Before more taxpayer money is sent to the rail authority, questions must be answered about mismanagement, conflicts of interest, route selection, ridership and other risks.”

A copy of the letter can be read by clicking here.

The letter was sent to the following authority leaders and staff:  Roelof Van Ark, Curt Pringle, Matthew Toledo, Rod Diridon, Quentin Kopp, David Crane, Richard Katz, Fran Florez, Dan Richard, Lynn Schenk, Thomas Richards, Thomas Umberg, Russ Burns, Robert Balgenorth, Jim Hartnett, Michael Rossi, Chris Ryan and Thomas Fellenz.

- By Jeffrey Solsby, spokesperson for Congressman Darrell Issa