15-02-2025
Did Zack Scrivner get special treatment during abuse investigation? Public voiced concerns over months-long process
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — One of the recurring concerns from 17 News viewers was the widespread belief that Scrivner received special treatment.
Factors such as the length of the investigation and lack of communication from investigators begged the question — what if it were someone else?
You've heard the facts and know the story. Community members do too and they're crying out Zack Scrivner is receiving special treatment.
READ: Full complaint against Zack Scrivner
'I wouldn't be standing up here if we didn't believe something occurred,' Sheriff Donny Youngblood said during a press conference last year detailing the night in question.
Everything started April 23, 2024, when the then-county supervisor first was accused of child sex abuse.
No one called 9-1-1 or the local police. Instead, his aunt, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, placed an 11 p.m. call directly to the sheriff.
There was no arrest.
Scrivner simply disappeared, leaving his attorney to speak for him. Then, people started lining up at the Board of Supervisors meetings.
They all had the same concerns.
'Zack Scrivner, an elected representative who because of his political position and his different connections to law enforcement has received clear, preferential treatment over a series of extremely harmful actions,' said Alex Gonzales, with the Young Democrat Leaders during a Board of Supervisors meeting. 'Harmful to his family and harmful to the county.'
'If your child was sexually abused, how long would you like to wait for charges to be filed?' asked Dennis McLean, a concerned citizen.
Former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner charged with child cruelty, weapons offenses
Another citizen said Scrivner is receiving special treatment because of white privilege.
'The tough on crime narrative his Aunt DA Zimmer uses that tends to only apply to poor, marginalized black and brown residents,' said Ucedrah Osby.
Scrivner remained gone, the supervisors' dais an empty seat along with even more angry people.
'Is he going to get to hide for 100 years. I wouldn't get to and neither would you,' said Duetta Riley, a District 2 resident.
17 News repeatedly reached out to the District Attorney's Office but Cynthia Zimmer's office declined to comment.
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