California employers are paying more for workers’ comp coverage even though rates are decreasing nationwide, courtesy of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

However, the rate increase isn’t the only way Lara is contributing to financial pain in California.

A deep-dive investigation by 7 On Your Side reveals that Lara spent (at a minimum) tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on luxury travel, hotels, and security. The trips, to everywhere from Bermuda to Dubai to Singapore, apparently have little discernible connection to Lara’s official duties.

California’s Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating Lara’s jet-setting, which coincides with frequent absences from official obligations, such as attending state insurance briefings.

California employers, outrage is appropriate. While spending taxpayer dollars on safaris, first-class tickets, and rooftop parties, Ricardo Lara is feeding your revenue to insurers that are hauling in record profits from workers’ comp.