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Detroit Free PressPOSTED: 12:58 P.M. SEPT. 22, 2009
Conyers seeks answers on ACORN
BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON – House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers – a Detroit Democrat – is weighing into the controversy involving a much-maligned national community organization, asking congressional researchers whether any laws may have been broken by surreptitious recording of the group’s employees.
Just last week, the Democratic-led House followed up on a Senate vote that started cutting off federal funding for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now or ACORN, amid Republican-led calls for a widespread investigation into the group and its activities.
Even President Barack Obama has criticized the actions of ACORN employees in Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere seen in sting videos who appear to give tax advice to filmmakers pretending to a hooker and her boyfriend.
Conyers and House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank of Massachussets today asked the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service to provide an analysis on several aspects of ACORN, including any current or previous criminal investigations into the group; a breakdown of any funding received by the group and any violations of the terms of that funding; a report on alleged improprieties in collecting voter registration forms and “the extent ... that resulted in people being improperly placed on voting roles and actually attempting to vote,” and the group’s programs to provide housing opportunities.
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http://www.freep.com/article/20090922/NEWS15/90922045/1319/Conyers-seeks-answers-on-ACORN