Lawless State: California Democrats Pass ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ – Journalists will Be Fined THOU$ANDS For Recording and Exposing Fraud Inside Immigration Support Service Providers

by Cristina Laila Aug. 19, 2026 9:20 pm



California Democrats on Wednesday passed AB 2624, dubbed the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ by Republicans. The bill, introduced by Democrat Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, restricts the release of investigative videos exposing immigration support service providers.

Mia Bonta is married to California’s radical far-left Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The California Democrats got to work on AB 2624 earlier this year after investigative journalist Nick Shirley exposed rampant hospice and daycare fraud.

The bill will fine journalists (and regular citizens) a minimum of $4,000 for exposing potential fraud inside certain immigration support service providers.

The bill passed the California Senate on Tuesday and was sent back to the Assembly for final passage on Wednesday.

Governor Newsom is expected to sign the bill.

California Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio blasted the Democrats for passing Mia Bonta’s bill.

“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,” Carl DeMaio said.

“Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them,” he said.

“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 added.

WATCH:

Carl DeMaio
@carldemaio
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BREAKING: CA Democrats Just Passed AB 2624 - The "Stop Nick Shirley Act" - that makes it illegal to post videos of fraud against taxpayers. I rose to speak in opposition - and they repeatedly silenced me like they intend to silence citizen journalists! WATCH:



https://twitter.com/i/status/2090201435795517872

6:17 PM · Aug 19, 2026

Nick Shirley confronted the author of AB 2624, Mia Bonta, on Wednesday.

“This bill will protect NGOs, nonprofits, legal offices, healthcare facilities and ‘learing’ centers who provide services to immigrants. If an immigration service provider gives you a piece of paper saying you cannot publish your video, you may be fined $4,000 and have to pay for their legal fees,” Nick Shirley said.

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Nick shirley
@nickshirleyy
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 Confronting California Politicians behind the “Stop Nick Shirley Act”:

California’s Attorney General’s wife has created a bill titled AB 2624 (aka the Stop Nick Shirley Act) that will fine citizens and journalists a minimum $4,000 for exposing and searching for potential fraud

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https://twitter.com/i/status/2090142602326868398

2:23 PM · Aug 19, 2026

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...t-journalists/