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Zimmer in the News
California wins $3.5M payoff in illegal gambling lawsuit
“For years, Pong has flouted California law and flooded our state with illegal gambling devices, profiting off of the harm done to some of our most vulnerable communities,” Kern County District Attorney Cynthia J. Zimmer said in a statement.
Governor Gavin Newsom targets retail theft in California, D.A. says gun violence is the bigger issue
Zimmer believes there are bigger problems to worry about. “We see an enormous amount of theft in Kern County and throughout the state. We see theft there but we would like to hear from the governor in how he wants to address the shootings and homicides that are in California.”
Human trafficking victim speaks out; DA looks to create task force to help others like her
“We're going to be working very hard to make human trafficking, and the conviction for human trafficking, a strike offense — that is a serious or violent crime,” Zimmer said. “Hopefully, the California Legislature is ready to do something.”
California sues major US nursing home operator over ratings
The suit was led by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, who said in a statement that when nursing home companies break the rules, “they create environments that subject the most vulnerable among us to unnecessary victimization, stress, and even physical harm.”
Kern DA's Office resists state's request for criminal charges in restaurant cases
"But so far, at least, the D.A.'s Office has chosen not to pursue criminal charges. It cites a number of reasons for this reluctance, from its hesitation to go after lower-level employees to a desire to prosecute only the most flagrant repeat offenders."
Kern County DA warning against unlawful activity ahead of Inauguration
"Criminality directed toward any side of the political landscape will not be tolerated, and criminal consequences will follow illegal activities. Political protests are not a license to commit crimes," DA Cynthia Zimmer said.
COMMUNITY VOICES: LA DA George Gascón has an offer no criminal can refuse
I pray for victims in LA who are being abandoned by their district attorney and oppose nearly every policy for which Gascón stands. Criminals hoping for Gascón-style treatment in Kern County can stop holding their breath because it's not going to happen under my watch.
Kern DA: ‘Astronomical’ unemployment fraud hits close to home
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer spoke from her office during a December 2019 interview. A massive unemployment fraud scandal throughout California has hit home in Kern County, where about 4,000 inmates received $16 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In my nearly four decades as a prosecutor in this state, I have never seen fraud of this magnitude,” Zimmer told The Associated Press.
Scams led California to send COVID jobless benefits to Scott Peterson, death row inmates
Dist. Atty. Cynthia Zimmer of Kern County — which has five prisons, the most of any county in California — called the scope of the scams shocking. Zimmer said her office had found about $16 million in allegedly fraudulent claims in her county alone.
National First Responders Day: Answering the call
At the District Attorney’s Office, we have a unique perspective on the ways that first responders hold our community together every day. In reviewing evidence for trials, we hear the panicked voices of 9-1-1 callers desperately crying out for help.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving presents awards to local law enforcement officers
“Drunk driving crashes inflict injury and horrific losses to our community without warning, and oftentimes without remorse,” Zimmer said. “I am proud to be a part of recognizing the service of all of the law enforcement officers in our community to ensure there will be no more victims.”
Community rallies for slain teen
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer filed charges against Cruz and will personally prosecute him. Cruz's first degree murder charge includes four special circumstances that include kidnapping and sexual assault, which can carry the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted.
DA Cynthia Zimmer responds to CDCR release of convicted felons
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer rebuked the continuing actions of CDCR, stating: “Governor Newsom has made clear time and time again his intent to fill our communities with violent felons. He has repeatedly issued commutations for convicted, notorious killers, and now has opened wide the floodgates for violent felons to be released into our streets. Rather than implement policies that make our prisons safe, he has chosen to use the pandemic as an excuse to intentionally cripple the criminal justice system and single-handedly overrule sentences set by hundreds of judges across the state under laws approved by the People. The Newsom administration’s continuing actions are a dereliction of his duty to the citizens and laws of California.”
COMMUNITY VOICES: We will not be intimidated
Today’s politically charged, social media-driven atmosphere has resulted in a rash of instant judgments fueled by partial, misleading or outright false information. The role of the District Attorney demands that I, and those in my charge, reject this phenomenon and continue to act independently and judiciously when deciding whether criminal charges are appropriate in any given case.
One of the Bakersfield 3 is accused of murdering the other in first major break in the case
"Our dedication to solving this case never wavered," Zimmer said, giving credit to the district attorney's investigators and the Bakersfield Police Department for their investigative work. "We want to remind the public that our mission is to never stop searching for answers on every homicide case in Kern County."
DA’s Office: Looting charges important tool keeping crime under control during pandemic
“Criminals that prey on our community when it is at its weakest will not be tolerated,” Zimmer said Tuesday. “We have aggressively focused on keeping dangerous and repeat offenders in custody despite the statewide zero-bail mandate for their release.”
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer breathing new life into solving Kern County's oldest cases
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer ran for office making reducing violent crimes and solving the county's coldest and oldest her top priority. In just under a year her office has secured two major victories in the fight to win cold cases.
DA investigating alleged mismanagement of taxpayer money by Kern County Fair officials
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer confirmed Monday her office is looking into allegations of mismanagement of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by senior officials at the Kern County Fair.
COMMUNITY VOICES: We applaud the District Attorney's Office
Last week, Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced that her office and six other prosecutors’ offices across California obtained a $4 million settlement with Renovate America, Inc., also known as the HERO Program, which provides Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.
COMMUNITY VOICES: Proposed law allowing convicted felons to be on criminal juries advances in state Legislature
As we continue to address the fallout from last year’s laws, new proposals are now advancing in the Legislature that, if passed, would further hobble a criminal justice system that is becoming unrecognizable to that which provided decades of falling crime rates. One such proposal, Senate Bill 310, would allow convicted felons to serve as trial jurors in criminal and civil cases.
March honors victims of violent crimes and their loved ones
“Today’s march is a reminder that victims of crime will not be forgotten, and it is an opportunity for those of us in public service to rededicate ourselves to pursuing justice in every case,” District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said. “Survivors, we honor your strength and your courage, and we want you to know that you are not alone.”
Death penalty supporters in Kern decry governor's suspension of executions
Kern County Districy Attorney Cynthia Zimmer speaks at a press conference from her offices Wednesday in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement that he has placed a moratorium on the executions of 737 death row inmates in California.
Barring teens from adult court is unconstitutional, judge says
"This is an important step in our effort to fight back against Sacramento's over-reaching policies that put lives in danger," Zimmer said in a press release. "We will continue to fight to ensure that any who commit serious and violent crimes receive appropriate sentences."
Two convicted in 2001 murder of Rosamond woman get life sentences
“It’s so satisfying to see a cold case solved and a conviction received. So many families don’t get this kind of justice because the majority of our cold cases are not solved,” said District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, who decided to personally prosecute the case. “I hope it gives hope to those who are out there that we can do this — we just need the public’s help.”