The Bachelor star Nick Viall is surprised and disappointed by information producers have let fall through the cracks during casting.
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"It is clearly an issue," Nick said of the background checks conducted on potential contestants. "The Garrett thing, obviously it's inappropriate, [but] I think it's harder [to avoid]. I don't know how that process works."
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Nick continued, "The Lincoln thing, unfortunately, it's a big mistake, and I think something that they need to really look in to... You can't have people convicted of sexual assault on the show, or really just anywhere."
Garrett, the recipient of Becca Kufrin's First Impression Rose on The Bachelorette's fourteenth season, came under fire late last month for his taste in sexist, homophobic and politically-extreme Instagram memes.
The apparent staunch conservative was slammed for mocking feminists, the transgender community -- such as Caitlyn Jenner's transition -- undocumented immigrants, and Parkland shooting survivors. His "likes" on Instagram memes were as recent as November 2017.
The medical sales representative from Reno, NV, ultimately deleted his Instagram account and created a new one to start fresh, as a more educated and self-aware man. He also posted a public apology for his behavior, saying he never meant to offend anyone and his Instagram "likes" were "mindless" double taps.
As for Lincoln, he was arrested in May 2016 for allegedly groping and assaulting an adult female on a Boston harbor cruise ship. Lincoln was found guilty in May 2018 and convicted of indecent assault and battery shortly before The Bachelorette season premiered.
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Warner Bros. has since claimed the 26-year-old account executive for Oracle from Los Angeles, CA, blatantly lied to The Bachelorette producers during casting about his history of sexual misconduct.
Nick told People of the recent events, "Obviously they need to look at their vetting process. It's a very unfortunate situation."
Lincoln was sentenced to one year in a house of correction, which was suspended for a two-year probation.
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Press Secretary Jake Wark of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office told the magazine, "The judge ordered him to stay away from the victim and attend three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week during those two years. By law, he is expected to register as a sex offender."
Both Garrett and Lincoln are still in the running for Becca's heart on The Bachelorette's currently-airing season. In the next episode, the guys will be traveling to Las Vegas for a week of dates.
To read spoilers on how far Lincoln and Garrett make it on The Bachelorette this season, click here.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
