**BREAKING** ACORN Sues Hidden-Camera Filmmakers, Breitbart.com
by PubliusFrom the Associated Press:
BALTIMORE (AP) – Community activist group ACORN is suing the makers of a hidden-camera video that showed employees of its Baltimore office giving tax advice to a man posing as a pimp and a woman posing as a prostitute.
The liberal group contends that the audio portion of the video was obtained illegally because Maryland requires two-party consent to create sound recordings.
The two employees seen in the video were fired after it was posted online. The lawsuit says the employees, Tonja Thompson and Shera Williams, suffered “extreme emotional distress.”
Read the full article here.
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523 Comments
Legal Defense Fund! Stat!
Discovery should be interesting.
Can ACORN really be so stupid as to open themselves up to discovery? Do they really think that has been the hope all along?
Oh goody! Can an organization possibly be more stupid?
playing right into their hands, lol, dumbest thing they could ever do
This comes as no surprise. Another of the tried and true liberal tactics. Deny everything, and make counter-accusations. What I find hard to believe is that Reid is saying no to investigating ACORN in the Senate, yet Frank is launching an investigation in the House. Not of ACORN, but of the film makers that busted them. Our tax dollars at work. When are these morons going to wake up and remember who they work for? My guess, in about one year and two months. Here's hoping….
I'm sure they ladies in the video did suffer "extreme emotional distress". Most people who get caught breaking the law on videotape, and lose their jobs would likely suffer from this. If they hadn't been doing something wrong they wouldn't have had anything to worry about. I hope they toss this out of court and make ACORN pay all the legal fees.
They are suing on behalf of fired employees? They want millions from two people who spent $1300 on this whole project? They look pretty bad here.
Oh, goody!
So "goody", I'll second the fellow above and raise him a "say it twice":
Oh, GOODY!!!!!!
GOODY GOODY!!!
I'll donate to the legal defense fund. Someone needs to set one up.
ACORN? Lawsuit? Discovery? Yeah, right! Those people don't have a clue. Someone needs to file a motion to compell………..
What a couple losers! Emotional distress for showing what they really are like. Entitlement and easy $$ is the norm.
Hahaha Do it …..Discovery will be a bitch, especially since Baltimore ACORN was operating without a valid commercial business license.
Is the organization suing or are the two thugs suing?
If it's the thugs, discovery is less promising — UNLESS discovery uncovers the organization is behind their suit.
I have never gave to anything an I have little money but i will give to the defense fund these kids r heros
KILL THE MESSENGER!! KILL, KILL THE MESSENGER!!
Does this mean we get to look inside the corrupt treasure trove of your accounts, etc., etc., etc?
KILL THE MESSENGER!! KILL, KILL THE MESSENGER!!
Does this mean that through discovery we get to look inside the corrupt treasure trove of your accounts, etc., etc., etc?
I do find it odd that the AP broke this story. I wonder where it will be ranked on the evening news tonight? Someone needs to alert Charlie Gibson…………
[...] “Oh, GOODY!! **BREAKING** ACORN Sues Hidden-Camera [...]
How else are they going to get their entitlement pay for their illegal advice they offered as part of their job.
Only in freakin nut job America.
Let's not forget the fact that ACORN was operating on an expired corporate charter…What a joke! Bring it on, I say.
hehe this is going to get great… this is a catch 22 if you ask me.. ACRON gets Tax payer bucks… then they sue with our Tax payer bucks
The money shall come back sooner or later to the tax payers lOl
This is despicable, but also SO stupid, as to be hilarious!
ACORN has just opened a gigantic can of worms, that they really and truly do NOT want to have opened! How is that? Because there is such a thing known as "DISCOVERY", which entitles those being sued ( Andrew, James, and Hannah ) to have thier lawyers ask to see anything and EVERYTHING regarding Acorn and each of the two people filing te suit. And yes, that does mean that ACORN will now have to show those being sued their books, all records, and anything else they can think of.
Add to that, the Baltimore ACORN group had, at the time of the filming, been operating ILLEGALLY in Baltimore! This opens up not only ACORN, but the government of Baltimore and Maryland, to all kinds of serious legal complaints and investigations!
THIS SHOULD PROVE TO BE LOTS OF FUN TO WATCH UNFOLD! Now, the ACORN mess will continue to be in the news for a very long time.
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"Compell" to do what? Motions to compel are generally involved with discovery disputes. Your Cowboy Logic could use some more Law and Order, or not.
I'd forgotten that ACORN had lost its incorporated status. So ACORN is, theoretically NOT a party to this suit. Still be interested to see who's paying for their lawyers.
Can any lawyers here speak to just how much information could potentially be made public via discovery? There seems to be a lot of popular mythology around the discovery process, and I'd like to know what the reality is. This could be seriously interesting, no doubt.
Saved by the truth
Here is the biggest point. As pointed out last week, ACORN let it's corporation standing lapse in maryland. They are OUT OF LUCK. They have to file their corporate annual reports to remain in good standing. They did not do so. A company that no longer exists can't experience damage.
I want to see that complaint. Is Acorn really asking for emotional distress damages for employees that Acorn fired? Unbelievable.
I'm no lawyer but I've been involved with a number of cases and I don't think discovery give s carte blanche access – the request(s) must be relevant to the specific case and it seems to me is limited to that which the other side is/will be using in the case. would love to hear an attorney's input on this and also would like to know where to contribute to the defense.
So, does this mean that speaking truth to power is no longer a good thing??
Oh it will be main news on NBC – Guarantee that !
emotional distress. Could that be something that a young teen who has an entire life of sexual slavery to look forward to suffer from?
Someone please look up the word shame and read Tonja and Shera the definition.
They probably think they can restrict discovery, as they are accusing them of a wiretapping violation. We'll get to see if Internet Journalism qualifies for the shield, I think.
If they are forced to have open discovery in this case, I think this will go away as fast as the CAIR lawsuit did. Do James and Hannah then have slander/libel avenues to pursue?
Methinks ACORN does not know the First Rule of Holes: When in one, STOP DIGGING!
Let me see if I have got this straight: ACORN, a criminal enterprise funded by US, the taxpayers of the United States, is using OUR money to file a lawsuit against two Patriotic Americans who exposed ACORN as a fradulent criminal enterprise. Is that correct? Is that the right assessment?
WoW, I'm shocked……………
It is a racist conspiracy.
[...] Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government; details at the [...]
ACORN must've successfully found the judge they wanted to render favorable rulings as to which docs/motions will be allowed.
I do not think Acorn is suing. The two fired employees are suing for emotional distress. I do no think they will get a penny though. Perhaps they should have sued Acorn because that is where the money is.
ACORN seems to have the same level of competency as to legal advice as they have in giving tax advise. Don't they realize that the Dems and the media are doing their besty best to bury the ACORN scandal and ACORN opens up a legal suit that will take years to resolve. Way to keep ACORN off the front page guys.
I live in Indiana, a single party consent state. Because of that I carry a digital voice recorder when I open carry my firearm as allowed by my Indiana license to carry. I consent to the recording so I'm within the law, so since Giles and O'Keefe both consent I would think that puts them within the law as well, furthermore, was there any real expectation of privacy in any of those videos?
Onward to discovery, this ought to be fun.
Shame? Such an unfamiliar emotion.
I posted the same thing. Thanks. They broke the law. There may be difficulty for them to reactivate. How will they serve papers?
This reminds me of the 'hoods that filed a police report because someone stole their crack cocaine.
The intensity of the intrigue gets better — this is the best sop area since Willie and his CIGAR
Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
This will go nowhere. Believe me, there are good lawyers there who will subpoena ACORN's books somehow and ACORN will drop the case ASAP.
Believe me, ACORN DOES NOT want the investigation that would occur if a court case opened up. They're more afraid of the 15 other videos that are waiting to come out.
Next they will sue Acorn for not enough training.
I will donate to the legal defence fund the moment I have the information! These evil bastards can NOT be allowed to threaten OUR young patriots! This has by blood boiling!
ACORN should know that slavery is also illegal.
Any lawyers out there want to help us un-educated racists understand what comes next? I know everyone mentioned "discovery" but it would be nice to know – they will need a defense and a good one – oh Mark Levin where are you ….
http://www.landmarklegal.org/DesktopDefault.aspx
let's take it slow and clamly…. We may only get one chance at this…
Well, discovery can go into a LOT of areas that are not admissible in court. The only limitation is that any discovery request must *potentially* lead to admissible evidence. So, you can't go on a fishing expedition (though, in my experience, most depositions are exactly that). I think most states have some pretty tough laws against making anything public that is produced during discovery. Unless it is entered into evidence, and thus part of the public record, I don't know how much "gotcha" material would ever make it out.
the sinner,
Patrick
Boo! Hoo! Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ACORN is stupid beyond conprehension.
Let’s see here…..videotaping with audio without someones permission vs. helping a “pimp” and a “prostitute” establish a brothel with underage girls from El Salvador…PLUS helping them to skirt every tax law we have on the books.
Hmmm….i dont know, you tell ME which is worse……YOU OUGHTA BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF MARYLAND!!
LEGAL FUND FOR JAMES AND HANNAH NOW!!
Sorry Bill, was being facetious……….
Oh, DISCOVERY! (evil grin!)
I wish they said if this is in federal or state i cant pull anything up on PACER or Maryland Judiciary. Anyone have a copy of the summons & complaint?
Link to legal defense fund, please. Every tax-paying American owes you guys big-time. Just let us know where to send the $upport.
Man! ACORN is sure desparate to keep their left wing shinanigans going, arent they?
OK, with the damages they're seeking that means there will likely be a jury, right? I'd like to know how many jurors would side with someone who experience emotional distress because they got caught giving "unethical" advice about how to do something illegal.
All ACORN is going to do here is force the Maryland statute that prohibits recordings of this nature into the State and Federal Supreme Courts, where it will be tossed. Very forward-thinking group! LOL!
What a bunch of maroons…..
-
Big Bertha \”Lyin\” Lewis certainly needs to be refamiliarized.
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Discovery: it has to be limited to areas that can *potentially* produce admissible evidence. Yes, this is usually construed very liberally, and can lead the requesting party(ies) acquiring some very interesting documentation. However, to what degree this discovery available for public perusal, I think, depends on the state. I'm pretty sure that here in CA you can't simply publish anything that you get in discovery. And, of course, if there are "business secrets" or "personal information," I have no doubt that Maryland has rules regarding the ability the responding party to request a seal or some sort of restraining order/protective order regarding the sharing of discovery responses with third parties.
In other words, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for something "juicy" to come out of the discovery process. Oh, and those pesky shredding machines are probably already hard at work.
the sinner,
Patrick
More legal ideas. If the fired workers felt emotional distress, they should sue ACORN who fired the,
Actually Bertha because she said how bad they were and slandered her own ex employees. If ACORN loses, then does ACORN have standing to ask Hanna and Brian for reimbursement? Under what law?
ACORN is litigious and used to courts to do a shakedown for blackmail moneys. that is a core source of their operating funds.
I'm not a lawyer either, but I'm thinking along the same lines as MStewart. I was under the impression the discovery was limited in scope to items/documents/facts strictly relevant to the case.
I'm no fan of ACORN and I'd love to see the organization removed from the face of the earth as much as anyone else here, but we have to look at this carefully. Aside from the emotional damages (rediculous) they are suing on the basis that supposedly in Maryland the conset of both parties is required for an audio recording. If that is true, and it is shown that the consent of the ACORN employees was not obtained, then they may be in a bit of trouble. Breaking the law is breaking the law.
We may find out that the law is a bit more complicated and the actions of O'keefe and Giles are somehow exempted from this requirement of consent.
Hell, the fact that ACORN even exists is causing me emotional distress…given the fact they are evil and corrupt and defrauding taxpayers.
Hey! I think I’ll sue!
Did a quick search on "Maryland wiretap law overhear" and an article talking about Linda Tripp summed it up quite nicely…
That is, an "interception" is not the same as a "recording" and an "interception" is clearly the "acquisition" of the communication and NOT the "recording" or "taping" of it.
James & Hannah did not "Intercept" the communication. The legally "acquired" it by BEING PART OF THE CONVERSATION. Recording is just a preservation mechanism if you aren't "intercepting" the communication. But save that for the trial (if it ever gets that far). Go Go DISCOVERY!!!
How many tax dollars will they waste suing these two patriots for uncovering illegal activities by their group while subsidized by our by federal government?
Then the State of Maryland should be bringing charges. Until that issue is resolved, it would be hard to have a civil case.
"As the world turns"……..Cant wait till tomorrow to see the new updates
Will Barack be reprising his role as ACORN Defense Lawyer?
ACORN: Association of Criminals Obama Represented in the Nineties.
They probably have some good lawyers just waiting for something like this to be dropped on them.
Lawyers: the one thing ACORN uses even more than "the children".
I can't wait to see the details on this one…
http://firebreathingchristian.com
This is fantastic. AWESOME!
This is fantastic. AWESOME! The Discovery process should be outstanding….how stupid can they be.
I suffer severe, emotional distress when I look at my paystub and knows it helps pay Tanya and Shera's salary.
Any sentence that begins "Can ACORN really be so stupid…" can only be answered with "Obviously, yes."
Some MD liberal activist judge will limit discovery to the complaint which will cite MD privacy law, so the 40 yrs of ACORN corruption and communist ball-licking will be off the table.
LOL! Like the records aren't mysteriouosly missing.
So Barney Frank is going to have HEARINGS attacking Breitbart and OKeefe and Giles??? These will be public. Can BigGovernment PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE carry streaming video of these hearings??? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?
And tell me where to send some support money, through paypal if possible.
Try reading the first line of the article! It VERY clearly states that it IS ACORN, who IS doing the suing !
Bertha Lewis = Wiley E. Coyote, Super Genius. Good luck with the ACME lawsuit that is bound to blow up in your face.
5 million Americans have been fired due to obama. He promised 3 million new jobs. Who sues obama? He fired all the chrysler dealers. How is that lawsuit coming? They actually had millions in damages.
ACORN is accustomed to lawsuits. Companies pay to get rid of them.
This should be fun … Anybody have a handy copy of the First Amendment? You know, that little thing called freedom of the press, that Hugo Chavez likes so much?
I think this has been done before with disastrous results.
If Hannah and James pay taxes then they have an interest in what goes on in these snake pits, not just as reporters.
Distraction, deflection and defamation – ACORN's stock-in-trade… These people are so arrogant and feel so superior with their "Organizer-in-Chief" in the Oval Office, they just don't realize that the first rule of politics is self-preservation and their "savior" and his cronies will abandon them like rats from a sinking ship!
ACORN has been " BREITBARTED"….
Bring on the lawsuit! I welcome it! If it actually comes to jail time for them, then they will go down as martyrs. On top of that, it means ACORN will have to further reveal their inner workings as well. I want to know everything as to how my tax dollars are being spent.
OH, but you KNOW that the MSM is gonna be FLOODING the airwaves with this! they still suck
and no one watches them hehee
here is the full complaint. Acorn AND each of the two women are suing.
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_complaint.h...
Ok now issue a discovery against ACORN for all the documents prior to 2002 up till the day of the video being done. Then when the court date arrives ask why they were still operating since their charter was pulled in 2006 per Maryland’s AG. ACORN was not to have a business in operation in Maryland and was not tax exempt from that time so, WHERE’S THE MONEY THEY GOT AND THE TAXES THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING???????
Here is the full complaint
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_complaint.h...
Does the Attorney General of Maryland realize that she let ACORN set up the so called President of the U.S. Because any good attorney is going to bring every possible sole into this case. Emanuel, Axlerod, Jarrett and OBAMA. Stupid is what stupid does.
ACORN (maybe i will rename them ACRAP) feels empowered because Obama and his left wing cronies are in control, and they feel they can do whatever they want.
But if they win, it will show just how corrupt not only ACORN is, but also this administration is too.
[...] ACORN Sues Hidden-Camera Filmmakers, Community activist group ACORN is suing the makers of a hidden-camera video that showed employees of its Baltimore office giving tax advice to a man posing as a pimp and a woman posing as a prostitute. [...]
someone got too start a fund to support these true american heros because our govt wont
Bring it on……….."Pack a Lunch"
here is the complaint
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_complaint.h...
Umm, weren't they fired? Why is ACORN suing on behalf of FORMER employees?
They'll likely move for protective order on all discovery. Instead of a legal defense fund, there should be a general fund to pay for the fines the parties will incur so that they can publish all the discovery anyway! I would LOVE to sit in on those depositions.
Maryland requires two party consent. James and Hannah gave their consent. End of story, yes?
I don't know Maryland law, but since Hannah and James simply entered these ACORN offices off the street and engaged in a spontaneous meeting with them, why couldn't they claim that whatever happened in that meeting was "public" so not subject to rights of privacy. Anyone who had entered the office with them would have heard what was said there. The tape recording is essentially of a "public meeting" since the meeting was not pre-arranged or limited to known private (i.e. non-public) individuals. I wouldn't think there would be any validity to an expectation of privacy.
What the left knows how to do – file lawsuits – look what they did to Sarah Palin!!
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