Report: Lara Campaign Accepts More Than $45,000 From People Linked to Applied Underwriters

Although California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara pledged not to accept money from the industry he regulates as part of his 2018 campaign, four months into his first term he took more than $45,000 from people tied to Applied Underwriters, the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog alleges. The commissioner pledged to return the money shortly after the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote about the allegations for a July 7 story, Consumer Watchdog said. The donations to Lara included $31,000 in contributions — $15,500 each from Stephen Acunto and his wife, Carole Acunto. Campaign finance record...