Conyers, Frank seeks answers on ACORN & Filmmakers
Conyers seeks answers on ACORN
By TODD SPANGLER
DETROIT 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. The employees appear to give tax advice to filmmakers pretending to be a hooker and her boyfriend.
Conyers and House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts asked the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service on Tuesday to provide an analysis on several aspects of ACORN. Among them:
• 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.â€
