BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — “The Lords of Bakersfield” — a term that has lived in Kern County infamy for more than four decades. It is a series of stories of powerfully connected men and vulnerable minors, facing little to no consequences.
“At that time there was a lot of investigation around that and then it kind of went away. Nobody really talked about it. We’re seeing the same exact thing unfold where you’re seeing someone use their privilege to get away from being charged with sexual molestation,” said Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano).
Asm. Jasmeet Bains says there is ‘Epstein loophole’ in Zack Scrivner case
The case she is referencing is that of former Kern County supervisor Zack Scrivner.
Scrivner was accused of sexually molesting his underage daughter almost two years ago, but was charged by the Attorney General’s Office with child abuse and assault weapon violations.
The AG’s Office has the case because Scrivner’s aunt is Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer.
“I knew very well that this was a set up to get a mental health diversion,” said Bains. “So I called it out from day one.”
The three bills introduced are the SCRIVNER Act, The Mental Health Diversion Reform Act and the Epstein Loophole Act.
Bains said the proposed SCRIVNER Act would give judges more discretion when someone is charged.
“A lot of backroom deals happen where certain charges will not be charged, even though the investigative findings are there for that charge to be there,” said Bains.
The Epstein Loophole Act, if passed, would ban prosecutors from offering non-prosecution agreements that shield co-conspirators — the exact sweetheart deal New York Financier Jeffery Epstein received.
“There (are) rich and powerful people that get away with crimes and they should be held accountable to the same standards that are applied to everyone else,” said Bains.
The mental health diversion act proposes adding serious felonies to exemption from mental health diversion.
“There is a place for mental health diversions and I wanna make that clear. There is a place for that. But you do see people that are abusing that,” said Bains.
Scrivner’s attorney H.A. Sala criticized Bains’ proposed laws after Scrivner’s most recent hearing.
“That is nothing but cheap political theater based on her ill-perceived attempt to gain an advantage in her congressional race,” Sala said.
Bains is running for Congressional District 22.
But for now, she said she’s doing her job as an elected official in holding people accountable for their actions.
“In this case, there was a clear finding in the investigation that was not charged,” said Bains.
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