Senate Blocks Funds to ACORN

Yesterday, the Senate voted to block ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) from receiving grants from HUD. ABC News looks at the latest complaints against the group, and ACORN's chief organizer speaks in defense.

1 minute read

September 15, 2009, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Recent videos by a pair of young conservatives out to catch ACORN in illegal behavior surfaced on the internet, bringing more heat to the organization. On Friday, the Census Bureau also severed ties with ACORN, announcing that they would not use ACORN staffers to conduct census activities.

"[Sen. Richard Shelby, R-ALA,] said the recent controversies "add to numerous other reported issues within the organization over many years including: embezzlement of nearly one million dollars by the brother of the organization's founder; charges of additional voter registration fraud in other states; and the stripping of federal grants following findings that ACORN used federal money to promote legislation."

In a statement on Saturday, ACORN's chief organizer Bertha Lewis said the "relentless attacks on ACORN's members, its staff and the policies and positions we promote are unprecedented.""

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 in ABC News

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