The left-wing activist group, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (commonly known as ACORN), has been linked to a number of serious scandals involving misuse of taxpayer funds, embezzlement, intimidation tactics, employee abuse, questionable hiring tactics, and fraudulent voter registration. Judicial Watch is on the front lines exposing the scandalous activities of ACORN and its affiliates, including Obama’s former employer, Project Vote.
In 2009, Judicial Watch exposed a plan by the Obama Census Bureau to partner with ACORN in conducting the 2010 U.S. Census, including recommending workers to perform the census (which may have included felons). Ultimately, the exposure by Judicial Watch and the resulting negative publicity surrounding ACORN led to the Bureau’s decision to sever ties with the organization.
Judicial Watch has also forced the release of documents detailing federal investigations of ACORN’s fraudulent voter registration activities, and filed a lawsuit to obtain records related to funds embezzled from ACORN by Dale Rathke, brother of ACORN founder Wade Rathke.
In 2011, Judicial Watch announced that the Obama administration issued a $79,819 grant to ACORN offshoot Affordable Housing Centers of America, apparently violating the Federal ACORN funding ban. Judicial Watch also released a comprehensive report on the rebranding of ACORN, and has also filed open records requests to unearth details regarding ACORN’s new state organizations. As part of its mission to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in government, Judicial Watch is focused on promoting accountability with voter registration in the upcoming 2012 elections.
