Is ACORN Intentionally Structured as a Criminal Enterprise?

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ^ | 07/20/2009 | Darrell Issa (CA-49)

[EBH]

A July 2009 congressional report -- titled “Is ACORN Intentionally Structured As a Criminal Enterprise?” -- accused ACORN of massive fraud, money laundering, and racketeering directed from the highest levels of the organization's management.

[BuffaloJack]

> I was stunned too, to find a recent congressional report has been completed.
The ACORN Report is 2 months old. Completed, YES, Ignored YES. Congress is completely ignoring it. What did we expect, they’re all in this criminal conspiracy together, Democrats and RINO alike.

[EBH]

This report needs to go viral.

[browardchad]

So long as ACORN’s primary activity is promoting social welfare, their lawful participation in campaign activity does not affect their 501(c)(4) status.

However, according to ACORN’s 2005-2007 Strategic Plan, ACORN might be in every respect a political organization:

"But just as important as our organizations’ role in mobilizing existing progressive voters, ACORN and similar groups actually create new progressive voters. We reach out to people who are perhaps apolitical, or whose connection to politics is mediated through right-wing media, and their experiences in organizations like ACORN turn them into politically engaged citizens who cast their votes based on what they learn through their work with the organization. They join a campaign to increase the minimum wage, or to win more affordable housing, or to end predatory financial practices – and they find out which political leaders are on their side on these issues, and which ones aren’t. Candidates who purport to stand with low and moderate income voters by promoting tax cuts and so-called “family values” are then measured against a different yardstick – and are caught short when voters realize they are really standing with the corporate interests. In summary, groups like ACORN are creating an expanded progressive electorate." (Source: ACORN Strategic Plan at (Apr. 2005) at 1 (ACORN-00278))

[...]

FINDING:

Lobbying is a substantial part of what ACORN does. It has endorsed Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representative Albert Wynn (D-MD), and Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD).

ACORN keeps donor records from the Clinton, Kerry and Obama campaigns with the intent to engage in prohibited communications.

ACORN receives federal funding yet engages in improper lobbying. ACORN and its nonprofit affiliates do not have separate accounts.

Neither ACORN nor any of its affiliates have properly reported their political activities to the IRS. These harms fly under the legal radar because the IRS rarely checks for compliance. The “no substantial part” test is rarely enforced and the accounts of ACORN and its affiliates are illegally commingled.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“This is as they say around here, hugh & series.”

Power to the epople!

[BuffaloJack]

Yup, I agree. It’s been largely ignored for 2 months. The Democrats are good at ignoring what’s important.

[JayAr36]

It isn’t “structured” as a criminal enterprise.

Nope, It is an Oblabba sponsered (government funded) criminal enterprise. Another first for the Marxist In Chief.

[Stultis]

VELVET SUIT AND HAT w/ "BLING": $300

FILING OF FRAUDLENT TAX DOCUMENTS AND APPLICAPTION
FOR TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED LOW-INTEREST LOANS AND
MORTGAGEs: $500 in illegally solicited ACORN
membership, seminar fees and "contributions"

TACTIC PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT FOR PIMPING SALVADORAN
TEENS: priceless

[TigersEye]

bttt