Dont ComplyAccording to CalMatters, Kristin Rosi, the Insurance Department's former chief administrative law judge, filed suit in Alameda County Superior Court in late September against Commissioner Ricardo Lara and former special counsel Lucy Wang. The lawsuit alleges the department approved insurance rate increases without following the law, blurred the separation between its executive, legal and judicial branches, and retaliated against Rosi for refusing to change or revoke her rulings. It also alleges Lara asked her to "get on board" with a plan limiting the judges' jurisdiction. Rosi also filed State Bar complaints against four department personnel, which are pending. Wang declined to comment, citing the pending litigation, and a department spokesperson said, "We have no comment." Commissioner-elect Jane Kim said she is committed to transparency and plans to investigate the claims after taking office. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges that the department that approves homeowners' insurance rates compromised the independence of its own judges, claims that remain unproven. Californians' home insurance premiums have risen 23% since 2023, according to Bankrate.com as cited by CalMatters.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.