Journalist Accuses California Lawmakers of Shielding Organizations from Scrutiny

Independent journalist Nick Shirley leveled accusations against California lawmakers for advancing Assembly Bill 2624. He believes this legislation aims to protect organizations funded by taxpayers from public scrutiny.

During an appearance on Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher, Shirley voiced his concerns. He stated, “I obviously hit a nerve.” Shirley emphasized that NGOs and nonprofits receiving taxpayer money are being protected from transparency. “These are organizations and groups that receive our tax dollars, yet they want to make it so we can’t find out what they’re doing with our tax dollars,” Shirley added.

Shirley criticized the proposal for potentially hindering investigations into entities receiving public funds. He mentioned it would make probing alleged fraud within nonprofits and immigration-related organizations more challenging. Assemblymember Mia Bonta, who sponsored the bill, argued that immigrant service providers face harassment, doxxing, and threats. Shirley countered, stating that AB 2624 might impose legal risks on journalists examining publicly funded groups.

Shirley addressed accusations that his reports constituted harassment, urging, “Stop using these communities, commit fraud, and no one will ever have any speculation about fraud taking place when we know that the fraud is very much real.” He cited previous investigations dealing with alleged fraud in Minnesota and California. According to Shirley, “The Somalis in Minnesota, they stole hundreds of millions, billions of dollars, and then the hospice fraud that took place inside California.” He noted that Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s husband, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, had not responded to related inquiries.

Shirley has used social media to discuss the bill’s implications. He claims it places journalists at civil risk for investigating fraud with immigration support services, nonprofits, and healthcare facilities. Conservative voices such as Rep. Tim Burchett and actor Dean Cain joined the conversation. Lily Tang Williams, a Republican New Hampshire congressional candidate, commented online, emphasizing taxpayer concerns.

The bill, now labeled “Privacy for Immigration Support Services Providers,” successfully passed the Assembly and moved to the California Senate. The measure offers privacy and address-confidentiality provisions for immigration service providers facing documented threats.

Fox News Digital contacted Assemblymember Mia Bonta for comment but received no immediate response.