California Insurance Commissioner Under Fire for Lavish Travel and Ethics Concerns
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has relied heavily on support from donors and industry stakeholders as persistent wildfires jeopardize homes and challenge the insurance market, according to a recent investigation.
Lara, a prominent figure in the insurance sector, has reportedly taken at least 32 luxury trips over 163 days to exotic locations like Tokyo, Cape Town, and Dubai, many of which were funded by the National Association. This information comes from a report by an industry-funded trade group, highlighted by the Los Angeles Times.
Among the trips was an $11,626 premium ticket to Singapore for a 2024 conference and a $9,517 premium ticket to Tokyo in 2023. Notably, a planned $11,730 trip to Nepal was scrapped due to the Los Angeles fires in January. It appears the industry group arranged first-class seats for Lara, while state employees accompanying him had to fly in economy.
Lara, who has a long-standing career in the Democratic Party and previously served as a state senator, has also been accused of soliciting funds for personal projects from companies he had dealings with prior to leading the agency. His office has been reluctant to disclose information about his travels and has not commented on who joined him on trips dating back to November.
This is not the first instance where Lara has faced questions regarding his ethical standards. Shortly after taking office in 2019, he was discovered to have asked for contributions from the companies he is tasked with overseeing. He later promised to adhere to a “higher standard,” as reported by the LA Times.
Consumer advocacy groups have accused him of collaborating with insurance companies as premium rates surged. Under Lara’s tenure, insurance costs have increased significantly, leading several major companies to cancel their policies in California last year, although some have since returned.
Reports from ABC7 and the San Francisco Standard depict Lara indulging in extravagant meals and adventures during a time of uncertainty in California’s insurance landscape. His travels included a stretch limousine, an African safari, and extended stays at luxurious resorts, with a substantial security expense reported. Alarmingly, he missed critical state meetings while abroad.
Lara has also been known to benefit from high-end dining experiences paid for by donors, dining at exquisite restaurants and incurring substantial bills that appear funded by campaign supporters.
As per the LA Times, Lara’s promotional credit card expenditures reached $107,000, covering travel and dining in places like Dublin, Costa Rica, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Bermuda.
A group of fire victims from the Los Angeles area has called for the troubled commissioner’s resignation.
