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Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains Introduces Sweeping “Lords of Bakersfield” Package to Hold Sexual Predators Accountable

For immediate release:

SACRAMENTO, CA – In response to high-profile miscarriages of justice in the prosecution of politically connected sexual predators, Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) today introduced a sweeping package of bills dubbed the "Lords of Bakersfield” Package. The three-bill package addresses systemic failures highlighted by recent cases like those involving Jeffrey Epstein and former Kern County Supervisor Zachary Scrivner, as well as the historical corruption that has long been rumored in Kern County. The package directly targets the abuse of mental health diversion programs, ends sweeping immunity deals for accomplices of predators, and mandates the rapid prosecution of elected officials investigated for 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 Dr. Bains. "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."

The Lords of Bakersfield Package includes the following three pieces of legislation:

  1. The SCRIVNER (Sexual Contact and Rape Investigation, Victims’ New Enforcement Rights) Act – This bill ends the two-tiered system of justice that has allowed Zachary Scrivner to game the system and avoid jail time. It expands prohibitions on mental health diversion, requires more rapid prosecution of elected officials investigated for child sex crimes, and eliminates prosecution barriers which may have influenced the Department of Justice’s decision not to charge a sex crime.
    • Expands the prohibition on mental health diversion by eliminating the need to be charged with select felonies, and instead requires the court to consider the findings of the investigation. While the investigation of Zachary Scrivner found he had committed sexual acts with a child, the Department of Justice did not charge him with a sex crime. This change would make him ineligible based on the facts of the case instead of relying on the prosecution to file the right charges.
    • Requires that once an investigation into an elected official for child sex crimes is complete and deemed appropriate for prosecution, formal charges must be filed within 30 days.
    • Eliminates the requirement in current law to demonstrate "intent" when charging a suspect with child sexual abuse if the suspect willingly took a mind-altering substance.
  2. The Epstein Loophole Act – Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirators remain anonymous today largely because of a plea agreement he was granted in 2008. This bill targets the very loophole that allowed Epstein and predators like him to traffic children with immunity.
    • Prohibits 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.
  3. The Mental Health Diversion Reform Act – Cosponsored by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, this bill protects the intent of mental health diversion to rehabilitate those in need, but ends its use as a get-out-of-jail-free card.
    • Prohibits courts from granting diversion solely based on a diagnosis, and requires a written mental health diagnosis from a qualified practitioner.
    • Explicitly bars defendants from diversion if they are charged with violent or serious felonies including domestic violence.
    • Extends court authority to require a defendant to relinquish all firearms and ammunition and mandates court-ordered financial restitution to victims for anyone participating in a diversion program.

"This is about tearing down a two-tiered justice system that allows monsters to abuse kids with immunity," Dr. Bains concluded. "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."

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Dr. Jasmeet Bains represents the 35th Assembly District in Kern County, including the cities of Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Arvin, Shafter, and McFarland.