Herb Morgan Calls for Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to Resign Over Taxpayer-Funded Luxury Travel Scandal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HERB MORGAN CALLS FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARA TO RESIGN OVER TAXPAYER-FUNDED LUXURY TRAVEL SCANDAL

San Diego, CA, Oct 8th, 2025— Herb Morgan (@Herb4Controller), candidate for California State Controller, today called on Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (@ICRicardoLara) to resign following revelations that he charged taxpayers for luxury international travel, five-star hotels, chauffeurs, and even an African safari — all while missing key California insurance meetings.

“California taxpayers aren’t Lara’s personal ATM,” Morgan said. “When you’re billing the public for $11,600 hotel rooms, $24,000 junkets to Colombia, and safaris in Africa, you’ve broken trust with the people you serve. Commissioner Lara should resign immediately.”

Morgan noted that while the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has opened an investigation, the scandal runs deeper than ethics violations.

“This isn’t just a question of ethics — it’s potentially criminal abuse of public funds,” Morgan stated.

If elected as State Controller in November 2026, Morgan pledged to pursue the matter aggressively.

“When I take office on January 1, 2027, I will not hesitate to refer cases like this to the Attorney General, local District Attorneys, and federal prosecutors where federal funds are involved. The statute of limitations will still be in effect — and Californians deserve justice. No politician should get away with this kind of corruption.”

Morgan’s platform of Radical Transparency calls for every taxpayer-funded expenditure to be posted online daily.

“When I’m Controller, no official will be able to hide travel receipts or luxury perks. Every dollar will be visible to the public.”

“Ricardo Lara chose vacations and safaris over Californians,” Morgan concluded. “I’ll choose accountability, transparency, and taxpayers every single time.”

About Herb Morgan for California State Controller 2026

Herb Morgan, a lifelong Californian with 38 years on Wall Street, founded, managed, and sold a successful asset management firm. He’s running for State Controller to bring radical transparency, fiscal responsibility, and integrity to Sacramento.

Learn more at HerbMorgan.com

Media Contact:
Nicolette Mangubat
Director of Communications
Email: nico@herbmorgan.com
Phone: 619-306-6956

Paid for by Herb Morgan for California State Controller 2026
FPPC ID #1480103
San Diego, CA 92130

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Posted on 07 Oct 2025, 21:42 - Category: PRESS RELEASE