ACORN = RICO
by Ken Blackwell and Ken KlukowskiNow that a third ACORN video has surfaced, a pattern emerges of ACORN workers willing to help people engage in prostitution, tax fraud, housing fraud, and even human trafficking. Under federal law, a RICO investigation is now warranted. Three strikes and you’re out, ACORN.
Videos show ACORN employees offering to help two undercover reporters/filmmakers posing as a prostitute and pimp in falsifying tax returns and getting a federal loan to buy a house that they could use as a brothel for underage prostitutes smuggled in from El Salvador.
When the first video emerged from such a meeting in ACORN’s Baltimore office on Thursday, ACORN fired the two workers involved. When another video surfaced on Friday, this one from ACORN’s D.C. office, the two workers involved there were fired as well, and ACORN said that these two reporters had tried and failed to carry out this sting in other offices.
One such office where ACORN said these reporters tried and failed was New York City. Yet Monday, a third video surfaced from Brooklyn in New York City. Once again, the ACORN employees on the video advise the undercover duo on how to violate federal law by filing a false income tax return to qualify for a federal housing loan.
As one worker says on the video, “honesty is not going to get you the house.” Well, not if you’re engaged in a host of felonies.
ACORN has the audacity to say that the undercover reporters may have committed a crime in the videotaping process, alleging that they doctored the tapes and that the reality is not what every viewer can plainly see and hear on the tape. (Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?)
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
The reality is, there are at least a half-dozen state and federal laws that could have been broken here. Even though the undercover girl is not a prostitute and there are no El Salvadoran girls either, this could still meet the legal standard for conspiracy to commit these various crimes. At a bare minimum, depending on the state, it likely fulfills the elements for the crime of attempted conspiracy, which usually carries the exact same penalty as the underlying crimes themselves (prostitution, tax fraud, etc.).
What’s important about prostitution and human trafficking is that they are specific triggers for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO. The RICO law is designed to enable the Justice Department to go after criminal enterprises. It defines “racketeering activity” as including importing illegal aliens for immoral purposes, falsifying identification documents and immigration papers, mail and wire fraud, and the sexual exploitation of children, among others.
These are all implicated on the video tapes. The ACORN workers rattle off their how-to instructions on carrying out these crimes without needing to do more than skim a couple books that they have on hand. The clear implication is that these workers are seasoned pros on how to carry out these crimes, subsidized by federal taxpayer money.
Although everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, a RICO investigation is now warranted. There are already multiple state investigations of ACORN underway, and thirty ACORN workers have already pleaded guilty to committing crimes. Attorney General Eric Holder should immediately order a RICO investigation, while we all wait to see if more footage is forthcoming.
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481 Comments
Mr Holder, the ball is in your court.
(Bueller? . . . Bueller??)
Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!
Long past time for these thugs to be taken down.
And those who voted to "Keep 'Em Pimpin'"
Like our own Kristin Gillibrand!
http://nygoe.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/kirstin-gil...
Let's hope that the powers that be allow the for investigation and prosecution.
All of the people involved in this uncovering process have my eternal gratitude.
Will Eric Holder step up to the plate and do the job he has sworn to do, or should he go the way of Van Jones?
This is getting good.
Damn right this warrants a RICO investigation. Even before these tapes came out there were dozens of incidents of corruption with ACORN. It's ridiculous.
Obama would never let it happen, Acorn would turn on him!
To the admin mod…the reason there are no comments on the Rep. Mark Kirk article is that the link do not work…you only get a 404 error message…
Where's today's tape? I can't wait to see it. They promised on Hannity it would be EXPLOSIVE. Any guesses as to location? I think maybe New Orleans… When is "left" America and the media going to open their eyes????
It just goes to show that the person that gets the most upset over the allegations is probably lying…
I think it's kinda funny that they are grappling for straws, but yet they are the ones that could be shut down. Even if O'Keefe and Giles broke the law, evidence should still be able to show that the tapes are legitimate. When I have watched the videos there were no breaks in the stream to suggest editing, no inconsistancy with the voice to suggest dubbing… so unless O'Keefe and Giles are damn good film editors (or the had a professional do it) I will have to believe that those videos are correct in their portrayal of the events.
You do realize that they are most likely at this moment moving there operations over to Organizing for America don't you? Keep your eyes open some of the same people in Acorn will be makeing the shift.
Holder will not go after the dear leader's pet organization. How else can dear leader and co garner the votes needed to stay in power, and who would hire people for the day to stuff town hall meetings to silence the voices of the taxpaying voters against their socialist agenda?
I get the feeling that the prosecution will have to come from somewhere else, look at the black panthers in Philly last election day….
Mr. Holder, are you going to uphold the charter of the Justice Department and your oath of office? Or are you going to sweep this one under the rug because your Marxist handlers like George Soros don't want you prosecuting their pet organizations? It's time you either "Manned Up" or resigned your office!
I suspect you are long on crime and short on justice; so go ahead and resign since you appear to be another filthy piece of crap! Even Judge Judy can see this is a travesty of justice!
Obamas Department of Justice?
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1468...
Astute analysis and thank you for sharing. Eric Holder should be as willing to prosecute ACORN as he is willing to persecute CIA personnel for the alleged abuse of Gitmo detainees (i.e., terrorists). By the way, Rep. Darrell Issa has long mentioned the RICO violations of ACORN. Of course with The Messiah and the Chicago political machinery at play, pushes to investigate and prosecute ACORN will likely be a tall order…for now anyway
http://jacksonianlawyer.wordpress.com//2009/09/09...
I seriously doubt our corrupt administration will do anything. If local prosecutors try anything they'll catch heat from above.
But we have to keep fighting.
Oh noes! Anything but that!
I’d like to point out the obvious here and say that while O’Keefe and Giles WERE CERTAINLY pretending, the ACORN representatives WERE NOT! The was flipped on, the cockroaches are scattering…
I am laughing hysterically at the thought of Eric Holder investigating this. That would be like getting Obama to admit that he knew that ACORN participates in these types of practices. Nonetheless, maybe Eric Holder needs to go next?
[...] ACORN meet RICO. [...]
This is how ourintrepid reporters project is are on the gothamist webpage….."The right-wing smear campaign against community organizing group ACORN "
Libe will never wake up.
I think Beck mentioned (this AM on his radio show) San Bernardino, but I don't know if it's related to the videos.
Stay tuned …
Doesn't matter. RICO is a very nasty dog that hunts very well. And if they are moving operations to avoid prosecution, well, that just gives the prosecution something else to look at…
My new HEROS, Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe! I am waiting impatiently for more videos. Thanks for having the journalistic couriosity that is lacking at ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC. When you are ready to move on to another story, try checking out the CZARS! I bet that there's at least 2 years worth of stories there! I am glad to see that two twenty somethings are willing to take on corruption when our own government is ignoring it or worse yet, been instructed to turn a blind eye! Medicare and Medicaid come to mind also as great stories. Unfortunately corruption is everywhere and no journalists with the b–ls or moral integrity to even investigate. Sad state for our country. What has happened. WAKE UP AMERICA!
Obama unveiled:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/...
It is sad when MSM here has abdicated their responsibility and capitulated. The Fourth Estate is now more. It is testimony to where we are, that The Canadian Free Press is more newsworthy than The New York Times……..
indeed
Nice to think a RICO charge will ever be brought to bear, but with ERIC HOLDER in the position, it will never happen. We may have to concentrate on his background if he doesn't bring RiCO charges.
At the very least, we need an IRS audit – the IRS has audited for less than this.
I agree the wall to surmount to get a RICO investigation started is huge, high, and well protected…
SO, we must put tremendous pressure on the Congress to force it, or buh-bye baybee…
Holder doesn't have the stones to do it, but like all political animals, if you turn up the cattle prod enough…
Obama: This is not the Acorn I know, uh, worked with, uh worked for, uh, um, uh… where is my teleprompter?
As per The Canadian Free Press:…………."Because without America there is no free world………"
It is time to save our Republic, from them.
Ya, if you can get that ethically challenged Eric Holder to take the case. I very seriously doubt it.
As I said in a post under the announcement of the senate vote – Gillibrand, being a Jr Senator after carpetbagger Hillary took off, may have been politically inept enough to read the people and Schumer didn't school her – he threw her under the bus by not telling her how to vote to make herself look squeaky clean. He, on the other hand, voted the way he did just to be able to point to it during the next election – he didn't want to be on the wrong side. He's slick. It doesn't match his general record.
To get the IRS in for an audit you would have to say that ACORN was a conservative group. Good luck!
I'm still shocked that no media has mentioned that this Brooklyn office is where Bertha Lewis' office is – how did she not know??? This is their main office……………..
http://speakmymindblog.com/2009/09/14/honesty-is-...
My money is hovering over Chicago.
•Time Warner, which contributed more than half a million dollars to Obama and deployed its Time Magazine subsidiary to promote him as a “centrist” despite his voting record being the Senate’s most liberal. In exchange for the communication conglomerate’s unswerving allegiance, Obama has appointed five Time Warner executives to his administration, where they will have input on legislation affecting…the communications industry.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/...
Obama is in the racket from the state control of the media side.
It is in California. Listening to GB on the radio…
I want an investigation into the housing ACORN has already assisted people in getting. They may have actually helped set up real "businesses" in the neighborhood. None of the three videos really acted all that surprised at their request, so I'm guessing this is not the first time. Just the first time they got caught.
But seriously though —- they will investigate but they can take years if it is after one of theirs. How long did Jefferson "cash in the freezer" take? He even was reelected during the time. How about Rangel? How about Dodd? I really don't have much faith…
if Eric holder does not proceed with charges against acorn . he should be fired for non-representation of U.S. tax payers and incompetence.
An excerpt from the article from The Canadian Free Press; it says it all:
"The legacy of the patriots interred in Arlington National Cemetery is that they selflessly sacrificed everything to benefit their country. Barack Obama’s legacy will be that he eagerly sacrificed his country to benefit himself. The President of The United States is a stranger to patriotism, and the nation he leads is suffering as a result. "
And let's not forget about the fourth video promised for today. And this one is supposed to be the motherload!!
Where's a good ACORN lawyer when you need him . . . Oh That's Right, HE'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE!
WE REALLY NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE IN 2010( AND SENATE )
I find the recent lack of loud cries of outrage from the senior staff at ACORN very telling. When the videos from Mr. O'Keefe and Ms. Giles first surfaced, ACORN leadership was quite verbal in attempting to downplay and discredit the reports. Now, that the new film from NYC has surfaced, after ACORN officials said that the same attempt had been tried, and failed there, is very telling. ACORN is clearly on the defensive, from pulling information down off their website, to their new found lack of outrage. Shine the light and watch them run for cover.
It will be on Glenn Beck at 5 EST. The problems with all THESE organizations, they wouldn't be caught dead watching Glenn Beck or Fox News!!!!
Yeah, Holder will get on this one… right after he prosecutes the members of the Black Panthers for voter intimidation.
oh, that's right. he had those charges dropped.
how can it be that, despite damning video evidence, there doesn't seem to be any outrage from the left over blatant criminal actions of leftist radicals.
wtf????
You two young adults have fully restored my faith in the younger generations, and I am proud of you.
I think Holder will go to the mat to clear ACORN.
Confirmed: San Bernardino, CA
(newest video in San Bernardino, CA)
[...] Plus, does ACORN face RICO vulnerability? [...]
Glenn Beck is giving you a sneak peek now !!!! It looks like it's a southern coast location !!!!!
You can click the title of this comment to view the new acorn video
RICO by one who has had to defend himself from a Fla RICO charge is virtually impossible to defend. Fla has a 30 yr per count penalty or at least did thirty years ago.
Two or more people conspiring to commit a crime at least twice within a period of 5 years or less constitutes a pattern of racketeering.
There is no distinction in Fl as to whether the crime committed is felonius or only misdemeanor. Not sure about the federal RICO charge.
The charges against me were misdemeanor charges, amounting to running a house of illfame. Does that charge sound familiar.
Break Acorn financially. each state that has a RICO statute should file the charges agains the Rathkes'
Btw, learned my freaking lesson there. In the last thirty years+ my first, last, only brush with the gendarmes.
Question – does the ACORN illegal support and action run up and into the White house and president?
Needs investagation.
ACORN and the census collection should be dropped.
Holder? Investigate ACORN? As Mike Myers might say…sha…right! And monkeys MIGHT fly out of my butt!
Here's how Reuters reported the Senate cutting off funds: "U.S. Senate denies funds for poverty group" and the entire article assiduously avoided any real discussion of why. Unbelievable.
I wonder if there is any tension between the Messianic Mocha Messiah and his Maniacal Merry Minstrels? I'll bet that David Axlerod is more delusional today, than he was yesterday……..
Mr. Blackwell, you rock! You should have been Governor of Ohio, instead of the corrupt Gov. Strickland we're stuck with.
Keep up the good fight sir!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JOHN REDING, SavageNews, Jiangxi Dad, Mark B.and others. Mark B. said: ACORN = RICO http://is.gd/3iEFg [...]
Let us be serious on the expectation that Mr. Holder will do what he's supposed to. This is the person who called Americans "cowards about race". ACORN is a criminal enterprise but its associations with The Big Mocha in Chief are likely to keep its vast corruption from coming to light. Holder will figure out a way to dismiss any investigation like he did the Black Panther voter intimidation scandal.
I could not believe the arrogance. The ACORN workers were so brazen they believed a ridiculous story brought to them with no verification of the story tellers and openly gave criminal advice. Such stupidly. I have always disliked RICO, so either this gets ACORN or RICO will get the burial it deserves since it will go after the Left.
This is a victory, but it ain't the end of the road. __We have a long way to go. Acorn is a good place to start, but the problem isn't limited to Acorn. They are the tip of the Iceburg. Every one who participates in the corruption of our govenment needs to be put on notice by the American Voter that they will be shown the door in 2010. or when their turn to be voted out comes around. Their noses need to be rubbed in this fact every day…in the press, in town hall meetings and in Tea Party forums, in these blogs and between Anericans, at lunch, in the office and on the streets. RICO is a good tool, but more importantly, we need to throw all of the Bums out! ____I've never paid much attention to the Washington antics, and I think most Americans haven't either. What seems different this time around is that the corruption is so obvious and appears to range so far, that Americans can no longer pretend it doesn't exist. The corrupt have become so brazen that they don't even try to hide it anymore. $787 Billion…..boy does that stick in my throat.
Rovera: Then you would have special insight herein; consequently that makes YOU our new in-house resident professional. On a personal level, what is your opinion of what these two young people have done, good, or bad?
Why states are not busting in to all offices of ACORN rihgt now is beyond me – I want to see the FBI coats down in New Orleans now !!! Where's the white plantation owners hiding ???? Come on brothers, come out and play !!!!
Take our coutnry back !!!!!
Keep going !!!!
Obama commented on the Kanye West thing but not this – noooo really ???? Just keep'in it real…..
ACORN. mis leading information on health care such as illegals recieving through hospital emergency departments IS health care for illegals and we pay for same. Unions supportinh national health care does not make sence as the uniuons loose their high level health care. Payments of some kind must be made to the unions for them to cut their excellent health care. Acorn paid off – UNIONS PAID OFF? Investagate and investagate again – stop screwing the AMERICAN tax payer.
You can always send an email to the Department of Justice asking for the investigation. I sent mine in requesting that they start the investigation immediately and signed it as follows.
Signed,
Citizen of the United States of America
If the newest tape is from San Bernadino, CA that will be no suprise to those of us who live in the Inland Empire of Southern California. San Bernadino is the poster child for governmental corruption. An ACORN scandal would merely add to its already infamous reputation.
You can click the title of this comment to view the videos, I don't know why biggovernment.com keeps blocking me from posting. I am just a concerned citizen with no political or media ties. We all know this site has political and media ties so maybe that is why.
Anyways if you wanna watch the video click the title of this comment.
Hey, guys, check your copy again at the very beginning. "Patter" – please correct the typo. Thanks. Just looking out for you.
The charges were not dropped. Holder had a default judgement in his hand. He let them go.
Somehow I doubt he plays that ball.
This administration is going to try to protect ACORN. Make sure to go to the INSPECTOR GENERAL of HUD website and email or make a phone call to ask that ACORN is investigated.
It's amazing that the MSM is not reporting on this. The good news is, that the White House MUST watch FOX, and they know that the people of the US are too, considering the ratings. It will be hard to cover up for ACORN knowing that so many people know the truth.
Of course he won't he is too busy going after good CIA people.
One thing that I hope happens as a result of James and Hannah's courage, is a full and complete forensic audit by the Inspector General. The IG is supposed to be OUR watchdog to prevent just this exact thing from happening with taxpayer monies.
***NEWS TIP****
This goes way beyond ACORN. Check out the news story currently developing in Shreveport, LA.
http://search.shreveporttimes.com/sp?aff=1100&...
The Community Development Department was handing out city and federal funds to contractors for work not done. (All in poor black neighborhoods). City inspectors and even their supervisor were in on the scams, presumably getting kickbacks. Some of the contractors were relatives of city inspectors. Themayor's performance has raised some eyebrows since this all came out.
And now the investigation has spilled over to community non-profit organizations.
Sadly, they are all African American. THAT is the story. Like ACORN, these schemes are ripping off taxpayers all over the country….and victimizing poor black residents. As background, refer to the Boston Globe's long investigative article about how Obama and his sponsors funneled hundreds of millions of $$$ into South Chicago housing programs….with no improvements to show for it. Of course, a LOT of that money ended up in Obama's and other Dems' campaign coffers. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/0...
There are also all those "non-profits" that benefit from public money showered on them by the NYC City Council's slush fund….and John Murtha's non-profits in his home district….and the whole network of "community colleges" …..the list goes on and on.
The entire national network of non-profits that rely on public funds is apparently a big ripe target for investigation. It seems apparent the pols figured out years and years ago that they could "donate" public funds to these groups, then get campaign funds back from them. Go after 'em! There's plenty more that I didn't mention.
***NEWS TIP****
This goes way beyond ACORN. Check out the news story currently developing in Shreveport, LA.
http://search.shreveporttimes.com/sp?aff=1100&...
The Community Development Department was handing out city and federal funds to contractors for work not done. (All in poor black neighborhoods). City inspectors and even their supervisor were in on the scams, presumably getting kickbacks. Some of the contractors were relatives of city inspectors. Themayor's performance has raised some eyebrows since this all came out.
And now the investigation has spilled over to community non-profit organizations.
Sadly, they are all African American. THAT is the story. Like ACORN, these schemes are ripping off taxpayers all over the country….and victimizing poor black residents. As background, refer to the Boston Globe's long investigative article about how Obama and his sponsors funneled hundreds of millions of $$$ into South Chicago housing programs….with no improvements to show for it. Of course, a LOT of that money ended up in Obama's and other Dems' campaign coffers. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/0...
There are also all those "non-profits" that benefit from public money showered on them by the NYC City Council's slush fund….and John Murtha's non-profits in his home district….and the whole network of "community colleges" …..the list goes on and on.
The entire national network of non-profits that rely on public funds is apparently a big ripe target for investigation. It seems apparent the pols figured out years and years ago that they could "donate" public funds to these groups, then get campaign funds back from them. Go after 'em! There's plenty more that I didn't mention.
If Holder declines to aggressively pursue prosecution of ACORN, then he must be removed from office and replaced with someone who takes their oath of office seriously.
Some politician names are coming up on the audio !!!! OMG !!!! Can't wait until the camera is in thier face !!! Barbara Boxer – I thought ACORN is non-partiisan … this is so good!!!!
By the way, I meant to add how sad it is that the vast majority of these scams involve African American neighborhoods and, in many cases, politicians and public workers. Of course, the racist charge will be used when investigations turn up widespread corruption. I don't point out their race because I'm racist. I point it out because it's their "brothers and sisters" they're victimizing. What a sad and revolting state of affairs.
ACORN internation is now Community Organiztion Interational here is the website incase one has the urge to donate:
http://www.communityorganizationsinternational.or...
This site is obviously run by Republicans not Americans. If you would like to get involved in a nonpartisan debate, please visit our site. We also have the new Acorn video available for you to watch.
Click the title of this comment to view
PERFECT !!!! You are absolutly right ….. Most of these politicians came home for summer break went to their town halls where 3 people showed up and now the rooms are full !!!! They are being taken to the carpet and have no clue what to do !!!!
Keepit up !!! Stay in their face !!!!! Let them know they are done in 2010!!!!!
This site is obviously run by Republicans not Americans. If you would like to get involved in a nonpartisan debate, please visit our site. We also have the new Acorn video available for you to watch.
[...] James O’Keefe claims to have at least 2 more videos exposing ACORN. One source says there may be as many as 4 more videos. The 4th in this spine-tingling series will be released at 4 PM this afternoon. In the 4th video, the ACORN worker names politicians with whom they are in regular contact. All Democrats, by the way. Of course, ACORN is non-partisan. Once again, Glenn Beck broke the latest update on his radio program, along with Breitbart and O’Keefe. Here’s the latest news. [...]
I hope they also investigate whatever groups ACORN tries to morph into. Working Families Party is very bad news also…
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnis...
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/b...
Trust me if they are a politician they are corrupt. This site is just a way to get you to take the side of the Republicans. We will end up in Civil War if we allow them to do this to us. Stop following the sheep herders. biggovernemnt.com is just a Shepard for the Republicans.
We have the new Acorn video posted for you to view. Site developed by Americans for Americans
New Acorn video available to view on our site. Just click the title of this comment to view it.
I don't hink there will be any room left under the Obama bus when this is all over!
Not since Rathergate 2004 has there been a better story. Keep rockin' and rollin' James and Hannah!!
We kvetch about the state-run media but the real problem is the state-run legal system. Apparently the AG in Merryland is more interested in shooting the messenger for "illegal" videotaping than the activities of those being videotaped. Don't expect much from Holder because he is nothing but a stooge for the administration, ala Jan Reno.
Oh, by the way, the administration IS the most transparent in history and there are NO special interests involved in it! If you believe that, I have a bridge in New York that I want to sell you.
when is the newest video that is supposed to be devastating going to surface
Stop Corruption: I see the trolls are here from the Huff po. How would you have the new acorn video available, when those kids have an exclusive locked up with FOX, Brietbart and biggovernment.com. You just embarrased yourself………
It is on my site click the title of this comment if you want to watch it
send this to your congressmen … they need to make sure EVERY aspect of ACORN get NO funding …..
We conservatives need to remember that the goal is rolling back the tide of statism and socialism. The longer Holder drags his feet while new revelations occur the better for the 2010 election. There are already many Obama offenses, such as the IG scandals, that will make great political ads. Its the death of 1000 (political) cuts, and it works. Just look at what they did to Bush.
Those are some great finds! I found another name that looks like ACORN but under a different name littered throughout the US. (Insert State Name) Public Interest Research Group. Maybe someone might like to look into them.
Biggoverment.com has not released it yet because they are controlled by the Republicans and Fox. I am sure they are waiting for Glen Beck
StopCorruption: Civil War? Racist? Bring it on mother-jammer! This is not about Republicans or Dimmocrats, it is about America. WE are tired of youse people squalling like retards with their tounges stuck in a lamp socket, screaming RACISM at evert turn sonce the late 1960's. it is time for youse uppity sunsabitches to STFU !
Time to stand outside the TODAY show – come on NY Tea Party …. just a few signs. Small signs spread out around. they could say things like ACORN and then down a little bit the next one will say RICO – Next one SEIU –
A little mind playing …. The camera will catch them as it pans around …..
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