BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) introduced three bills on Thursday to address “systemic failures” in the prosecution of sex criminals who have political connections, dubbing it the “Lords of Bakersfield” Package.
The package comes as a response to recent cases like Jeffrey Epstein and former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner, according to a press release from Bains’ office on Thursday. It also highlights the rumored history of corruption in Kern County.
The Lords of Bakersfield is a dark 50-year-old legend involving a half-dozen local men of wealth, power and influence who allegedly seduced much-younger runaways, drug addicts and prostitutes — most of them young men, some of them teens. And inevitably, someone — usually the older man — ended up dead.
According to the release, the package is designed to target the abuse of mental health diversion programs, end immunity deals for accomplices and require the rapid prosecution of elected officials investigated for alleged sex crimes against children.
“For too long, the wealthy, the politically connected, and the powerful have played by a completely different set of rules in our justice system,” said Bains, who is running for California’s 22nd Congressional District.
“We are watching mental health diversion be weaponized to shield abusers, while loopholes protect the accomplices of monsters like Jeffrey Epstein. The dark history of the ‘Lords of Bakersfield’ shows us that these abuses of power are deeply entrenched, and they have gone on for far too long. This package is about ensuring that no amount of money, status, or political influence can buy a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Scrivner, who was charged with three counts of child cruelty and two counts of illegally possessing an assault rifle, was granted mental health diversion in December. It allows his case to be dismissed if he meets all program requirements.
The Attorney General’s Office never charged Scrivner with a sex offense, although he is accused of touching his minor child. He would have been ineligible for the diversion if he was charged with a sex crime.
The AG’s Office has submitted a petition challenging Scrivner’s mental health diversion.
Bains has been vocal in calling for more federal intervention in the Scrivner investigation. In October, she said there is an open “Epstein loophole” in the case while criticizing Scrivner’s motion to seek mental health diversion.
“This is about tearing down a two-tiered justice system that allows monsters to abuse kids with immunity,” Bains said in the release. “Democratic and Republican politicians and their friends need to know that they are not all-powerful, they are not above the law, and they will be held accountable for preying on children.”
The SCRIVNER (Sexual Contact and Rape Investigation, Victims’ New Enforcement Rights) Act
The SCRIVNER Act aims to expand prohibitions on mental health diversion by eliminating the need to be charged with specific felonies. Instead, it would require the court to consider the findings of the investigation, according to the release.
The bill also seeks to require charges to be filed within 30 days once an investigation into an elected official suspected of child sex crimes is complete and deemed appropriate for prosecution.
It also looks to get rid of the current legal requirement to demonstrate intent when charging a suspect with child sex abuse if the suspect willingly took a mind-altering substance, according to Bains.
The Epstein Loophole Act
This bill, if passed, would ban prosecutors from offering non-prosecution agreements that shield co-conspirators.
“This outlaws the exact sweetheart deal negotiated in Florida that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to plead guilty to lesser charges while granting sweeping immunity to his enablers and halting further federal investigations,” the release read.
The Mental Health Diversion Reform Act
This bill is designed to ban courts from granting mental health diversion solely based on a diagnosis, instead requiring a written mental health diagnosis from a qualified practitioner, the press release said.
It also seeks to stop defendants charged with violent or serious felonies — including domestic violence — from getting diversion, according to officials.
If passed, the bill would also extend the court’s authority to require a defendant to give up all firearms and ammunition and mandates court-ordered financial restitution to victims for anyone participating in a diversion program.
This bill was co-sponsored by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, according to Bains’ Office.
Robert Price contributed to this story.
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