‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’: Democrats Push To Criminalize Exposing Fraud, Republican Warns

A Democrat-proposed bill in California could see independent journalists face criminal charges for exposing fraud in the state, a Republican lawmaker is warning.

Republican California state Assemblyman Carl DeMaio blasted the legislation, Assembly Bill 2624 (AB2624), as “The Stop Nick Shirley Act” at a committee hearing this week. The bill, introduced by Democratic California state Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, would shield so-called “🛂Immigration service providers” from scrutiny and offer protections such as those given abortion providers in the state. In a statement on the legislation, DeMaio dubbed it the “Stop Nick Shirley Act”, framing it as a Democrat effort to prevent exposing fraud and abuse like purported day care centers run by Somali migrants.

“California Democrats are trying to intimidate citizen watchdog journalists and protect waste and fraud happening in far-Left-wing NGOs. AB 2624 can only be described as the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ — a bill designed to silence citizen journalists exposing fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars,” DeMaio said in a statement. “Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them.”

“AB 2624 would allow activists and taxpayer-funded organizations to demand the removal of video evidence — even if it captures misconduct in plain view — and threatens journalists with massive financial penalties,” DeMaio continued. “That’s not about public safety — it’s about protecting powerful interests.”

WATCH:

DeMaio confronted Bonta, the wife of Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta, over the legislation during a committee hearing