Alan Grayson: The “Congressman from ACORN”

May 5, 2009

Alan Grayson: The “Congressman from ACORN”
Office Embraces Scandal-Scarred Organization Under Investigation

Washington – The staff of Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) has no problem bragging about his strong support for the community organization ACORN, despite the fact that just yesterday, Nevada’s Attorney General and Secretary of State filed 26 criminal charges for voter registration fraud and 13 counts for paying volunteers to register voters. This comes less than a week after reports that a Grayson staffer said, “he loves ACORN, he’s the Congressman from ACORN.”

Last week, the Florida GOP released videoof an individual thought to be a staffer of Rep. Alan Grayson touting the Congressman’s support for ACORN.

Regarding ACORN, Grayson’s spokesperson was unapologetic:

“What’s the scandal here?” Jurkowski said. “One of Congressman Grayson’s primary goals is to provide basic needs and keep people in their homes. ACORN is a [Housing and Urban Development Department]-approved housing counselor. He supports any organization who shares his priorities.” (“Grayson Expected to Be Top GOP Target,” Roll Call, 05/05/2009)
“Giving his full-throated support to an organization that’s had criminal charges filed for voter registration fraud is just another glaring and embarrassing situation for out-of-touch Alan Grayson,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Alan Grayson should chastise instead of embrace an organization partaking in potentially illegal activities that could have disrupted our electoral process, but that is too much to expect from a man who bought his own election with his immense fortune.”

Background:

In October 2008, Nevada investigators raided ACORN’s Las Vegas office, searching for evidence with regards to potential voter registration fraud. Yesterday, Nevada officials announced they had filed criminal charges stemming from the evidence compiled.

“[Nevada] Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller announced Monday that voter registration fraud charges have been filed against an organization that works with low-income people and two of its employees in its Las Vegas office.

“The complaint includes 26 counts of voter fraud and 13 counts for compensating those registering voters, both felonies.

“Throughout 2008, ACORN employed canvassers to register people to vote in Nevada, the complaint said. ACORN paid the canvassers between $8 and $9 an hour, but made continued employment and continued compensation based on the canvasser registering 20 voters per shift. Those who failed to sign up 20 voters per shift were terminated, the complaint said.” (“Criminal Charges Filed Against ACORN, Two Employees,” Las Vegas Sun, 05/04/2009)
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