ACORN Sues Makers of Hidden Camera Videos

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(biggovernment.com)

ACORN is suing the conservative activists behind the hidden-camera video showing ACORN employees giving advice on taxes the filmmakers, who were posing as a pimp and prostitute.

The suit centers on video taken in ACORN's Baltimore office, the Associated Press reports, and seeks millions of dollars in damages from the filmmakers as well as Andrew Breitbart, who posted the video and others online. It is grounded in the notion that both parties must consent to sound recordings in the state of Maryland.

ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis has said in the past that she thanks the filmmakers, James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles, because they have "done us a good service" by finding the organization's bad apples.

ACORN fired the two employees seen in the Baltimore video.

Also Wednesday, the IRS announced that it severed ties with the group, saying it would no longer be a part of its volunteer tax assistance program. That program offered free tax advice to low- and moderate-income people, the AP reports.

ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, has long been a conservative target, in part for revelations of voter registration fraud. The group came under increased criticism following the release of the videos and saw its federal funding cut off by Congress.

Powerful Democratic Rep. Barney Frank released a statement Wednesday criticizing the organization.

"The fact that people who were improperly registered to vote did not actually cast ballots in no way excuses the organization's failure to exercise better control in this way," he said. "Further, the motivation of those who went to ACORN offices and initiated the discussions involving prostitution are wholly irrelevant to the fact that ACORN's employees' actions were outrageous and further indication of an organization that is at best poorly run in many regards. The defense against sting operations is not to ban them, but to behave properly so that they do not reveal as they did in this case clear evidence of gross impropriety."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by lordofdebate October 13, 2009 6:50 PM EDT: this is as disgraceful as when Newt Gingrich was caught lying on tyape and those that taped him were punished rather than Newt the liar being punished ! Newt and Acorn are just alike ..... AMERICAN DISGRACES !!!; Reply to this comment


by nh4ronpaul September 24, 2009 6:48 PM EDT: I'll tell you why it was legal. They film these guys who meet underage girls on the internet, lying in wait in the houses where they set them up. They are arrested, convicted and sent to jail. Acorn will be no different.; Reply to this comment


by Gnyxx September 24, 2009 11:51 AM EDT: How many states did Andrew Breitbart have to go to before he was punked?
I have seen this tape he was punked that FNC can't see it goes to show how truly stupid Republicans are...

Acorn helps poor people is it shocking Republicans are against the whole idea of helping the lesser among us? They are the party of the selfish after all, the party of MINE!; Reply to this comment


by Noval53 September 24, 2009 8:14 AM EDT: Don't think any court will reward crooks "caught on tape" with much, even if they have some protection in state law. The ugly cat is out of the bag and won't go back in anyway. Now we all know acorn for what it is. No doubt the filmakers will be happy for the free publicity the law suit will bring; so bring it on.; Reply to this comment


by jeff-fla September 24, 2009 7:41 AM EDT: Who wins and who loses here? The poor lost IRS tax advise that they really really need. Who won? I really can't think of anyone. Acorn should have done better job of self audit.; Reply to this comment

by peggy97478 September 24, 2009 5:46 AM EDT

This is great news! I can't wait for Discovery documents, depositions of any employees of ACORN, access to their books, etc. What fun! Now we will be able to open up this can of worms for all the world to see. Does ACORN really want to go there?

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by pasmalltown September 24, 2009 7:35 AM EDT: "Does ACORN really want to go there?"
by peggy97478 September 24, 2009 5:46 AM EDT
________________________
Only time will tell. I really can't see that it's "great news" for any of the parties involved. No doubt you're a lawyer. As more often than not, the only two people that leave a courtroom with a smile on their face are the two lawyers arguing the case.......


by onguard53 September 24, 2009 5:07 AM EDT: CBS News pays no attention for weeks to this story and ACORN...yet ACORN sues these kids and now it makes "news".....

Good job CBS.; Reply to this comment

by stevens63 September 24, 2009 3:40 AM EDT

Its pretty funny that this story does not get covered when it breaks from the video standpoint, but as soon as ACORN sues its all over the place. Clearly we can see what side the media here is on.

Reply to this comment


by pasmalltown September 24, 2009 8:08 AM EDT: by stevens63 September 24, 2009 3:40 AM EDT -
"Its pretty funny that this story does not get covered when it breaks from the video standpoint, but as soon as ACORN sues its all over the place. Clearly we can see what side the media here is on."
______________________

Yet the "media" shouldn't take sides, they should simply report. But in the real world, "they" do lean both left and right. It was covered when "it" broke and "it's" being covered now. Who exactly are you pointing fingers at? What's funny? Nothing about this controversy is funny.


by babooph September 24, 2009 2:48 AM EDT: Great deal -let both lowgrade creeps get the shaft they deserve-REPULICRATS ALL!; Reply to this comment


by EHSFFL September 24, 2009 2:06 AM EDT: These filmmakers and Breitbart just hit the jackpot. Discovery phase is gonna be a ***** for ACORN.; Reply to this comment