California Democrats Advance "Stop Nick Shirley Act" to Shield Immigrant Fraudsters from Public Scrutiny

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In a brazen 11-2 vote on April 13, 2026, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced AB 2624, a bill that critics are rightly calling the "Stop Nick Shirley Act." Authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, this legislation masquerades as "privacy protections" for immigrant service providers, but its real purpose appears crystal clear: to criminalize and intimidate independent journalists like myself who dare to expose massive taxpayer-funded fraud in "ghost" daycares, hospices, and related programs.

For months, my team and I have been on the ground in California, filming public locations tied to government-subsidized operations. What we've uncovered is staggering: over $170 million in suspected fraud involving empty or "ghost" facilities that bill taxpayers for services never provided - all while operators allegedly enjoy luxury lifestyles funded by Medicare, Medicaid, and state programs. These aren't isolated incidents. We've documented patterns echoing the massive fraud schemes seen elsewhere, where public records show dozens or even hundreds of agencies registered to single empty addresses, with luxury vehicles parked outside homes of those running the operations.

Our videos show the reality: posted business hours with no children at supposed daycares, "hospice" centers in strip malls or unrelated buildings with little to no activity, and operators living large off public dollars. This isn't harassment - it's basic accountability journalism. We film in public spaces, knock on doors, and ask simple questions: Where are the kids? Where are the patients? How is this money being spent?

Now, Sacramento wants to make that illegal.

What AB 2624 Actually Does

Under the bill, which expands California's "Safe at Home" address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers, targeted entities could:

1. Seek civil penalties starting at $4,000 against anyone who films or posts videos they claim constitute "harassment." 2. Obtain court injunctions banning further filming or exposure for up to four years. 3. Demand removal of online videos, with triple damages (up to $12,000) for non-compliance. 4. Escalate to criminal charges and $10,000 fines in cases involving alleged "doxxing" or "imminent threats."

Supporters, including Bonta, frame this as protecting vulnerable workers from threats and violence so they can continue "serving immigrant communities" in California's sanctuary state. But the timing is no coincidence. My exposés on California's fraud networks - which dwarf similar scandals in Minnesota - went viral, racking up millions of views and drawing national attention from outlets like Fox News. Suddenly, politicians rush to pass a bill that would classify public-interest filming of taxpayer-funded operations as punishable harassment.

Republican Assemblymembers Alexandra Macedo and Carl DeMaio cast the lone "no" votes, with DeMaio bluntly labeling it the "Stop Nick Shirley Act." He's right. This isn't about safety; it's about shielding fraud from sunlight. Instead of investigating the waste of hundreds of millions (potentially billions) in public funds, California Democrats are protecting the very programs enabling it.

The Broader Pattern of Corruption

This bill fits a disturbing pattern. California has long positioned itself as a haven, pouring resources into services for immigrants while everyday taxpayers foot the bill for rampant abuse. My investigations aren't anti-immigrant - they're pro-accountability. Fraudsters exploiting any system, regardless of background, steal from working families, veterans, seniors, and legitimate recipients who need these programs.

We've seen "ghost" daycares registered to vacant lots or closed businesses. Hospices billing Medicare for patients who don't exist. Operators driving high-end cars while claiming to serve the needy. Public records back it up. When journalists or citizens document this in public, that's not doxxing - it's the First Amendment in action.

Bonta's husband is Attorney General Rob Bonta. The family has deep ties to the political machine pushing these policies. Rather than root out fraud, they're moving to gag the watchdogs.

This Won't Silence the Truth

Let me be direct: I won't stop. My work has already spotlighted fraud that mainstream outlets were slow to cover. From Minnesota's massive scandals to California's even larger ones, citizen journalism is filling the gap left by captured or complacent media.

AB 2624 is a direct assault on free speech and a free press. Filming public-facing operations that receive taxpayer money isn't harassment - it's oversight. The First Amendment protects exactly this kind of investigative work. Courts have repeatedly upheld the right to record in public, especially when exposing government waste or potential crime.

If this bill advances further, expect immediate legal challenges. It reeks of viewpoint discrimination and prior restraint. Politicians can't criminalize journalism just because it embarrasses them or threatens their donor base.

To the fraudsters hiding behind "privacy": Your luxury cars and empty facilities are on camera. To the politicians enabling this: Taxpayers are watching.

The people deserve transparency, not cover-ups. I'll keep filming, keep asking questions, and keep exposing the truth - no matter how many bills Sacramento passes to try and stop me.

Power to the people, not the corrupt.

Nick Shirley is an independent journalist known for on-the-ground investigations into government fraud and waste. Follow his work for unfiltered reporting.

This article reflects the perspective and reporting of Nick Shirley based on his documented investigations and public reactions to AB 2624.