Computers, records seized at ACORN offices in La. – AP
An undercover state investigator removes computers from the ACORN offices in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. A warrant was obtained to seize computers, hard drives and other documents after ACORN attorneys said two unidentified former employees took computers and other items when they left the organization. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Nov 6, 9:39 PM EST
Computers, records seized at ACORN offices in La.
By CAIN BURDEAU – AP
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State investigators raided ACORN offices on Friday, taking away computer hard drives and documents as part of a probe into alleged embezzlement and tax fraud when the organization’s national headquarters was based in New Orleans.
“This is an investigation of everything – ACORN, the national organization, the local organization and all of its affiliated entities, specifically as it relates to any potential violations of Louisiana law,” Assistant Attorney General David Caldwell said.
ACORN staff on the scene declined to comment, but an attorney for the group said in a statement the raid was prompted by allegations that former ACORN employees had removed or altered electronic documents and may do so in the future.
Attorney Pamela Marple said ACORN was cooperating and called the raid exhaustive, saying investigators wanted “virtually every document in the possession of ACORN and any related entity.”
Comments are closed.
…….and while we all were taking in the Fort Hood situation, the Democrats went behind everyone’s backs again and filed this amendment:
Oct 23, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via
COMTEX) — FISI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating — October 22, 2009
Democrats Vote To Give ACORN Regulatory Authority Over Financial
Institutions
WASHINGTON – During consideration of H.R. 3126, legislation to establish a
Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA), Democrats on the House
Financial Services Committee voted to pass an amendment offered by Rep.
Maxine Waters (D-CA) that will make ACORN eligible to play a role in
setting regulations for financial institutions.
The Waters amendment adds to the CFPA Oversight Board 5 representatives
from the fields of “consumer protection, fair lending and civil rights,
representatives of depository institutions that primarily serve
underserved communities, or representatives of communities that have been
significantly impacted by higher-priced mortgages” to join Federal banking
regulators in advising the Director on the consistency of proposed
regulations, and strategies and policies that the Director should
undertake to enforce its rules.
By making representatives of ACORN and other consumer activist
organizations eligible to serve on the Oversight Board, the amendment
creates a potentially enormous government sanctioned conflict of interest.
ACORN-type organizations will have an advisory role on regulating the very
financial institutions from which they receive millions of dollars
annually in direct corporate contributions and benefit from other
financial partnerships and arrangements. These are the same organizations
that pressured banks to make subprime mortgage loans and thus bear a major
responsibility for the collapse of the housing market.
In light of recent evidence linking ACORN to possible criminal activity,
Democrats took an unprecedented step today to give ACORN a potential role
alongside bank regulators in overseeing financial institutions. This is
contrary to recent actions taken by the Senate and House to block federal
funds to ACORN.
A recent inquiry into bank funding of ACORN activities by three House
Committees found that institutions that would be regulated by the CFPA
have provided millions of dollars to the organization in the form of
direct donations, lines of credit, cash, and other assets over the last 15
years. to view the vote.