Bail Reform Group, Backed By John Legend, Danny Glover & More, Shuts Down After Man Bails Out & Shoots Waiter

Bail Reform Group, Backed By John Legend, Danny Glover & More, Shuts Down After Man Bails Out & Shoots Waiter

A celebrity-backed bail reform organization has been terminated six days after being sued for freeing a serial criminal who attempted to murder a waiter.

According to reports, The Bail Project, which is backed by many A-list celebs including Richard Branson, Danny Glover, and John Legend, announced earlier this month the closure of its Las Vegas chapter over the case of Rashawn Gaston-Anderson. According to court reports, in November 2021 Rashawn Gaston-Anderson was arrested for pandering and carrying a concealed carry.

John Legend

He was allowed freedom without paying bail and was advised to stay out of trouble in the future, however, the next day, the 24-year-old was arrested in Las Vegas for burglary and theft.

The Bail Project then stepped in and paid his $3,000 bail. Less than one week after Rashawn Gaston-Anderson was released again, he reportedly opened fire in a restaurant on an Asian waiter, Chengyan Wang. Wang almost died after reportedly being shot 11 times.

Wang is now suing The Bail Project over the incident, targeting the organization for paying to free Gaston-Anderson in spite of his criminal past. In a previous interview, Wang said:

“I can still vividly remember when the first police officer on the scene immediately helped me stop the bleeding on my neck, and helped me put pressure on other ones.”

The Bail Project came about amid the uprising of Black Lives Matter protests and riots in the summer of 2020. Their mission statement notes the organization’s purpose is to help free individuals who are unable to afford bail.

In January, Cameron Pipe, regional director of the West for The Bail Project, described the Gaston-Anderson shooting incident to be a “shock” and a “tragedy.” Cameron Pip said: 

“It’s an absolute tragedy and The Bail Project, myself speaking for The Bail Project found it absolutely shocking.”

According to reports, The Bail Project has released 51 individuals in Las Vegas since February 2021. Insiders claim that 91% of those who have been bailed out showed up for their court date.

Deputy General Counsel for The Bail Project, Katie Poor, said their organization is determined to provide resources and bail out those who are innocent until proven guilty. She said:

“We provide free bail assistance and what we call community release with support which includes rides to and from court, court notifications and we attempt to navigate services in the community based on our clients’ self-identified needs.”

On October 31, Gaston-Anderson pleaded guilty to charges of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon and mayhem with the use of a deadly weapon. He will serve seven to 18 years in prison.

Do you think “The Bail Project” should be sued for freeing a serial criminal? Tell us below.

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