California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Faces Backlash for Dining at Fancy Los Angeles Restaurant While Wildfires Devastate the State

While entire communities across California were still reeling from the devastating wildfires that struck in January, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara was dining in luxury at one of Los Angeles’ most exclusive restaurants.

The lavish dinner, exposed by an investigation from the San Francisco Standard, has sparked outrage, particularly as Lara allegedly charged over $30,000 of campaign funds to his personal taste for upscale dining.

On January 15, the same day firefighters were still battling the Eaton fire and emergency crews were searching for victims in the Palisades fire, Lara was enjoying a multi-course meal with Raul Vargas, CEO of Farmers Insurance Group, at the posh San Laurel restaurant.

The dinner, which included dishes like lobster salpicón and a rack of lamb paired with bottles of wine, cost a total of $697.

Lara covered $234 of the bill, charging it to a campaign committee fund set up for a political run that never materialized. Vargas, on the other hand, picked up the rest of the tab.

A Growing Crisis in California’s Insurance Market

While Lara enjoyed his fine dining, millions of Californians were struggling with rising insurance premiums and, in many cases, having their policies canceled due to high-risk factors like wildfires.

From 2020 to 2022 alone, 2.8 million homeowners saw their policies not renewed, including a significant number from wildfire-affected areas like Los Angeles County.

As the man tasked with overseeing insurance in the state, Lara has been under intense scrutiny for allegedly being too cozy with the very industry he’s meant to regulate.

Critics say that Lara’s actions raise serious questions about his ability to represent Californians’ interests, especially as he has been accused of mixing his regulatory duties with personal and political gain.

Charges of Misusing Campaign Funds

This isn’t the first time Lara has come under fire for his spending.

In 2024, it was revealed that he charged a $1,000 meal to his campaign funds for a “strategy meeting” at an upscale Italian restaurant, Piatti.

He and his guests enjoyed multiple cocktails, wine, and expensive dishes.

Lara also attended meetings at a ritzy Los Angeles Indian restaurant, Baar Baar, where he and his guests ordered extravagant meals and drinks.

These incidents have led to accusations that Lara is using his campaign funds as a personal slush fund.

A Missed Opportunity for Accountability

Adding to the controversy, Lara’s absence at a key Senate committee hearing on insurance reform, held in March 2025, raised even more concerns.

While the committee discussed crucial issues related to the insurance crisis, Lara was attending a conference in Bermuda, where he delivered a brief 15-minute speech.

Critics have noted that Lara’s absence from multiple Senate hearings over the years, some of which were held internationally, highlights a pattern of neglecting his duties.

A spokesperson from Lara’s office defended his actions, stating that he needs to engage with global reinsurance groups to ensure California retains insurance companies and that consumers have more options.

However, many feel that Lara’s priorities have been misplaced, especially in the midst of an ongoing crisis that has left many residents wondering if their insurance will cover the damage from catastrophic events like wildfires.

Consumer Watchdog Responds to Lara’s Actions

Consumer advocacy groups have been vocal in their criticism of Lara’s behavior.

Carmen Balber, the executive director of Consumer Watchdog, expressed disappointment over Lara’s dinner with Vargas, especially given Lara’s past apology for accepting campaign donations from parties with ties to the insurance industry.

Balber suggested that Lara’s campaign committee might be little more than a slush fund for personal indulgences, undermining the public’s trust in his ability to oversee the state’s insurance landscape.

Lara’s Role and the Growing Concerns

As California continues to grapple with an ongoing insurance crisis, Lara’s actions have cast a long shadow over his career.

Critics argue that his frequent travel, questionable use of campaign funds, and apparent alliance with the insurance industry undermine his ability to effectively serve the public and hold insurers accountable.

With the state’s residents left vulnerable to price hikes and inadequate coverage, many are questioning whether Lara can continue to fulfill his duties as Insurance Commissioner.