Rob Bonta has been covering for corruption as Attorney General of California for years.
Posted by Ask Dr. Drew, Checked
- Sources
- 1 contradict1 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 40%
Ask Dr. DrewOct 21, 2026
The claim is a partisan characterization ('covering for corruption for years') that the post itself makes as a political attack, and the sources show only that Bonta faced corruption-related controversy (campaign-funded legal fees tied to an Oakland bribery probe, cleared by a watchdog) and that Gates, a rival candidate, made the same accusation; no authoritative source finds Bonta covered up.
A guest makes this claim. Listeners heard it, so it counts against the post, and on the guest's own record.
What was said
… That's the poll that shows that we're very, very competitive. We're a very, very popular campaign with a popular message. I'm very, very hopeful here, in just the next couple weeks, that we are going to get new leadership in the Attorney General's Office. Rob Bonta has been a disaster. He's been lawless. He's been there covering for corruption for years, and I think Californians are waking up to that fact. So I think we're going to have our long state back. God, your mouth to God's ears. But you need to put out a, uh, Spencer Pratt style Bassura uh cartoon. So, all right, my friend, good luck, Godspeed. …
Ask Dr. Drew · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. A state political watchdog cleared Bonta of accusations that he misused campaign funds on legal fees related to the Oakland corruption case, undercutting the specific allegation of improper conduct.[2]
Supports. Bonta's office continues to announce public corruption prosecutions, including felony charges against a former Lassen court official, which cuts against the idea he has shielded corruption.[1]
Context. Bonta spent about $468,000 of campaign funds on personal attorneys during a federal Oakland bribery probe, which his adviser says was to help the investigation as a possible victim; this is the factual basis critics cite.[3][4]
Context. The 'covering for corruption for years' phrasing originates with Michael Gates, a rival AG candidate, in a campaign statement about Medi-Cal fraud, which is partisan criticism rather than an independent finding.[5]
Sources
5 sources: 1 primary, 4 not rated
- 1Attorney General Bonta Files Felony Charges Against Former Lassen Superior Court Executive Officeroag.ca.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 2State watchdog clears Bonta on campaign spending ...yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 3Bonta spent nearly half a million on lawyers. His consultant ...latimes.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 4Rob Bonta spent $500K on lawyers amid East Bay corruption ...eastbaytimes.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 5103 home services providers charged with Medi-Cal fraudfwbusiness.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
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