WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Shelby wants ACORN investigation

Shelby wants ACORN investigation

WASHINGTON, DC - Alabama Senator Richard Shelby (R) is calling for an investigation into actions of the Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly referred to as simply ACORN.

Shelby, who is a ranking Republican on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, sent letters Tuesday to Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General, Kenneth Donohue, demanding they look into ACORN's activities.

Shelby's calls for an investigation come after reports of the arrest of individuals in Florida for falsifying voter applications while employed by ACORN during the 2008 election cycle. 

A new scandal erupted days ago when videos appeared that show ACORN employees offering to falsify tax documents and help individuals get a mortgage who purported to be involved in prostitution and employing of underage illegal immigrates.

The Senate voted Monday 83-7 to approve a measure prohibiting taxpayer funding of ACORN for fiscal year 2010.

Last night's vote served as a resounding rebuke on behalf of American taxpayers regarding the activities of ACORN," said Shelby.  "While this vote is important, it is limited in scope and we must know more.  It is imperative that we proceed immediately to investigate what appears to be ACORN's stunning disregard for the law and abuse of taxpayer funds.  Such an investigation would serve as the basis for determining not only whether ACORN is worthy of receiving other federal funds this year, but ever again."