Ever since independent investigative journalist Nick Shirley exposed rampant fraud and abuse in Minnesota under the "watchful" eyes of Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, Democrats' ire has not been focused on those who have gotten away with the fraud for, in many cases, years, but on those like Shirley who are shedding light on and exposing it. Now that Shirley has moved on to California and uncovered even more fraud there in the form of fake hospice scams, California Democrats want what people like Nick Shirley do outlawed.
California is trying to pass a bill that would criminalize investigative journalism with misdemeanors, $10,000 fines, imprisonment, and content takedown.
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) April 13, 2026
The proposed bill is titled AB 2624 and was made after I exposed mass fraud by immigrant groups in America.
Under AB 2624,… pic.twitter.com/4p0SjO7hOZ
Republican California State Assemblyman Carl DeMaio is blasting his state's Democrats over voting to advance AB2624. The bill would essentially squelch citizen journalists like Shirley and safeguard any taxpayer-funded organizations from any scrutiny. DeMaio has dubbed it "the Stop Nick Shirley Act." Shirley became a household name back in December of 2025, when he recorded videos of himself knocking on the doors of several Somali-run daycare facilities in Minneapolis. Ultimately, millions of dollars in fraud were discovered. (That's on top of a COVID-era child nutrition program that took in more than $250 million in fraudulent funds and has resulted in 98 indictments thus far.)
READ MORE: Newsom Tries to Shame Nick Shirley for Investigating CA Fraud; Shirley Smokes Him With Brutal Reply
California Democrats appear to want to be ready for guys (and gals) like Nick Shirley. The claim is that AB 2624 would protect immigrant organizations from "threats of violence." But what's really going on is that it would protect any left-leaning groups that may assist legal or illegal immigrants. If the Quality "Learing" Center wants to escape those harsh Minnesota winters and relocate to sunny California, they are covered under the new bill.
The bill would also allow those associated with certain groups to demand the removal of any videos, even those recorded in public, and impose fines on those who post the videos online. But perhaps the most chilling aspect of this bill, authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, wife of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, is that the primary reason for the bill is to block investigative reporting and intimidate journalists like Nick Shirley, as well as any sort of watchdog group or even regular citizens, from reporting something that raises an eyebrow.
Since MAGA slop accounts will amplify anything, here’s what Nick says in the video:
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 10, 2026
“I don’t think it’s enough to say it’s fraudulent” and “ I don’t doubt that adults do come here.”
See how California has actually been stopping fraud for years as opposed to whatever Nick is… https://t.co/OBc42yoR1J
See how California has actually been stopping fraud for years as opposed to whatever Nick is doing: http://StopFraud.CA.Gov
In a statement, DeMaio said of the 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. Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, Sacramento politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them.
What are California Democrats so worried that Nick Shirley and others might uncover? That there is plenty more where this came from? Recently, 21 people were charged and five arrested in a multimillion-dollar operation to use stolen identities from outside of California to charge for hospice services that are paid for by a government insurance program.
DeMaio also stated:
"If this bill becomes law, the message is clear to every journalist in California: expose corruption and you will be punished. AB 2624 is an unconstitutional direct attack on transparency and the First Amendment – and it needs to be defeated.”
Don't let anyone tell you for a minute that Democrats anywhere are all for free speech.
Hahaha he offered to partner to fight it?
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) April 10, 2026
This is what you did to me for exposing fraud.
I’d gladly invite Governor Newscam if he would like to come next investigation.
Why don’t we start by taking a walk on the high speed rail tracks to explain where the billions have gone? pic.twitter.com/xJprBhrx7j
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