Blowing the whistle on ACORN
The radical left-wing, government-subsidized group ACORN uses your tax dollars to engage in voter fraud, enrich itself as part of the mortgage counseling racket, and serve as an activist branch of the Democrat Party.
There’s more. Ashley Eiler e-mails about a new report: “The Consumers Rights League just released a collection of whistleblower documents from an ACORN staffer that raise some new concerns about how the organization has established policies for its housing counselors to use undocumented / under-the-table income for processing loan applications from low-income individuals. In addition to pushing these and other exotic loans, the documents reveal that ACORN has engaged in some apparently illegal activities by commingling government funds from its tax-exempt offshoot entities to fight political battles against corporate lenders. ”
Which one again begs a nagging question I’ve asked before: Why do Republicans continue to abet their political enemies and allow public money to be funneled to these con artists?
How your money is being spent (the full report is here - PDF):
Despite raking in a troubling 40 percent of its revenue from taxpayers over the last three years, ACORN Housing Corporation’s actions range from controversial to borderline illegal:
• AHC has worked to obtain mortgages for illegal aliens
• AHC relies on undocumented income, “under the table” money that may not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service
• ACORN’s “financial justice” operations attack lenders for “exotic” loans, but AHC has recommended ten-year interest-only loans (which deny equity to the buyer) and reverse mortgages (which can be detrimental to senior citizens)
• AHC may have violated federal law by failing to maintain a proper distinction between its tax-exempt housing work and the aggressive political activities of ACORN
More:
The ACORN Housing Association (AHC), an ACORN affiliate that receives over 40% of its funding from government sources, claims to be a consumer advocate. In a newly-released report from CRL, however, a series of documents obtained from a whistleblower source reveals hypocritical and potentially illegal use of taxpayer dollars by ACORN and its related organizations. These documents – which include staff emails and internal organization policies – suggest that ACORN has failed to maintain a proper distinction between its tax-exempt housing work and its aggressive political activities.
“ACORN and its offshoots take in millions of dollars in government grants under the guise of ‘consumer advocacy’ to line their own pockets. Attacking financial institutions for ‘predatory’ loan practices and then turning around to form cozy relationships with the same corporations sounds more like extortion than advocacy for low-income families,” said Jim Terry, CRL’s Chief Public Advocate. “The public deserves answers about how organizations funded by their tax dollars are functioning, particularly at a time when the Congress is considering pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into their budgets.”
According to the internal documents obtained by CRL, this potentially illegal practice of commingling funds occurs when AHC, ACORN’s tax-exempt offshoot, spreads government grant funds among various related entities to be used for political gains. Through targeted public relations assaults, ACORN is able to extract resources from financial lenders seeking abatement and to force financial settlements that benefit ACORN but are harmful to consumers.
Even as ACORN attacks other lenders for engaging in “predatory” tactics, the organization’s housing affiliate offers consumers the very same types of exotic loans, including 10/40 interest only mortgages (which prevent buyers from building equity during the first 10 years of a loan) and reverse mortgages (which can be detrimental to senior citizens). ACORN’s pay-to-play attack model has become so pervasive that in one internal email, a staffer writes that lenders view the forced deals with ACORN “as a cost of doing business.”
The CRL-issued report also raises concerns about ACORN’s role in the industry-wide relaxation of credit and the decline in mortgage lending standards that are at the heart of the current housing downturn. One email obtained from CRL’s whistleblower source reveals AHC’s use of suspect lending practices to help potential homebuyers obtain mortgages. In particular, one internal document outlines an AHC policy that advises its housing counselors to use “under-the-table” income – earnings that are typically not reported to the IRS – to process mortgage applications for low-income and minority homebuyers.
“The fact that AHC is counseling low-income consumers to take the very same loans it labels as ‘predatory’ is more than troubling,” said Terry. “It is important for homebuyers seeking AHC’s advice to understand ACORN’s true motives, and for American citizens to know how their money is being spent. This report raises some serious questions that deserve a great deal of scrutiny by consumers and taxpayers alike.”
Hello, GOP? Anyone home?
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Cracking Open ACORN « The View from Alexandria
- The Black Informant » Blog Archive » Cracking the ACORN
- 5views.com » Blog Archive » More ACORN scandals
- Democrats: the party of voter fraud (by God!)
- Michelle Malkin » Silky Pony and Maxine Waters at ACORN convention
- Michelle Malkin » The ACORN Obama knows
- BizzyBlog » Heroic Detroit Paper Portrayals of ACORN Ignored Its Sordid History
- Michelle Malkin » What’s ACORN up to? Voter fraud as usual
- Cracking the ACORN « The Black Informant
- PointOfLaw Forum
- More ACORN fraud… this time against ACORN [Karl]
- Embezzlement Covered Up By Mortgage Bailout Bill Beneficiary | OpenMarket.org
- Michelle Malkin » ACORN Watch
- Guess McCain dodged a bullet here.... - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!
- OpenMarket.org » Archive » Bailout Bill Drafted by Senator Dodd Is a Scam on Taxpayers
- Obama–Ayers–Chicago Annenberg Challenge–ACORN–Radical Socialists–Terrorist Bombers–Videos « Pronk Palisades
- David J. Williams » Blog Archive » The latest plot against Obama, and the big question
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Categories: Voter fraud
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Sorry, we’re in a closed door meeting with Latinos and stuff.
…and they wonder why their coffers have all but dried up. No need to wonder GOP - here’s one of the many reasons why. Gutless crapweasels.
Does anyone care that this 60 year old person who has been a contributing member of society since the age of 15 care that MY ability to keep my house is being threatened by rising taxes and give aways to slackers?
It sounds like this one would go with the goals of a certain pandering Maverick Senator from Arizona. The Republican Party is hell bent on committing suicide by continuing to fund the nefarious activities of this criminal organization. I am sure we will see subpoenas, arrests, and indictments in 3, 2, 1…………
It seems like lately the amount of corruption uncovered within Democrat circles is equal to the corruption that lost the Repubs the last election.
GOP leadership is lacking on many fronts, not just this one. They need to develop a sound war plan and work it hard until this Berlin wall and all the others come down. The near-total control the left has over mass media (press and network TV) can be overcome only by an effective, concerted and public effort on the part of our most articulate leaders. Sack up boys. The time is now.
Hello, GOP? Anyone home?
They can’t hear us, Michelle. They’re too busy pandering to ACORN trying to get them to vote Republican.
I just wrote some huge quarterly tax checks. Glad to know my money is going to places like this, and other worthy causes like John Murtha’s salary and benefits.
Its great to know that if they run short of cash they can dictate that I have to give them more. That way I don’t have to worry about deficits or shortfalls in the US budget.
According to Obama, I’m rich, so I really need to do more to help the government. They are better at deciding who gets my money than me. If I’m not properly supervised I just give it to my employees who actually are productive hard-working citizens. I must be stopped…
This is one of thoses days when there are just no words for the staggering stupidity of some people.
As a “mortgage guy”, I just have to add my $.02 and address these “bullet points”…
10 yr i/o loans and reverse mortgages are appropriate for certain financial profiles. These are not “sub prime” or “predatory” programs - you have to have pretty decent credit scores, etc if you want to qualify. As far as the “stated income” loans go, the free market has eliminated most of those programs. Banks won’t buy them anymore, so we’re pretty much back to the “gotta prove how much money you make” type of loans (what a grand idea!). Maybe I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about this, but it’s just my $.02. I think we all know that the real problem was/is unscrupulous loan officers playing fast and loose with the rules to get clients into loans that they shouldn’t be in. And then there’s that whole “personal responsibility” thing for borrowers. Don’t even get me started there.
Oh and BTW,loans for illegals - bad. But those programs are slowly going away as well (faster, please).
That is all for now. Now I’ll go back to quoting Vanilla Ice lyrics.
This may be a little off topic but not much, I’m sure this is where a lot of our money goes. I was watching a show called crime 360 (a reality cop show with real people) anyway this kid 25 or 26 no job already had 5 kid’s that’s FIVE kid’s.I can’t afford Two. Who do you think pays for them?
More proof that the unwitting and unwilling American taxpayer will be obligated to pay for their own destruction from within.
Only in America huh?
We are in trouble no matter who wins this “election”.
because “PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES”…
Whilst the tax-payer continues to be on the hook for massive bailouts for lenders and borrowers, these ‘exotic’ loans will continue. The latest $300 billion bailout plan is only the beginning. Consequences be damned.
Stanley Kurtz at NRO is working hard to bring to light Dohbama’s ties to ACORN. Read about it here.
Where are our conservatives? Where are our statesmen? The GOP has become the same impotent tax and spend hacks as the Democrats. I will not vote for the lesser of two evils! I will vote my conscience from now on, and right now that does not include any of the marxist ninnies running for the highest office of this land.
How much you want to bet that when AHC does their mortgage counseling for illegals they also register them to vote.
Why is it that we pay for them again ? I missed the memo. They got busted big time for false name listings up here in Wa State. Why are they still allowed to function ? Senate investigation ? Hello ? Oh, thats right, they’re trying to impeach Bush/Cheney for “war crimes”. My bad………..
For all of those people that have asked what is a community organizer…
ACORN IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
OBAMA WAS (is) A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
are we getting the picture?
Spo-con,
Didn’t you just love when those ACORN idiots got busted in WA and said that it was hard work making up names while they were stoned.
Better hurry with that investigation. If BHO gets elected it will be considered a racial, bigoted attack to look into that mess.
ACORN’s part in the current housing mess:
“A more serious—and more
supportable—explanation centers on the loosening of credit
and acceptance of greater risk both by borrowers and by
lenders seeking to serve riskier, non-traditional consumers.
It is here that ACORN is most clearly tied to the present
housing woes.
Whether by intention or by happy accident, ACORN
has become both a leading beneficiary and an important advocate
of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Three
decades ago politicians, spurred by activist groups, found
that banks were engaging in “redlining”—refusing loans in
areas with high concentrations of individuals with low credit
scores. Legislators passed a bill that gave community groups
significant sway over bank mergers based on the banks’ record
of lending to minorities and the poor. The fact that
poor credit put such borrowers at higher risk for default
was deemed irrelevant.”
.
read the PDF linked to above.
ACORN is a real “Bad Seed.”
#20……..Yeah, those over achievers really got me laughing when they got caught and tried pitifully to justify there actions. Disband them now. They are corrupt. And they don’t have an R behind their name !
I also wonder about the “non-profit” counseling center. They’re always mentioned as the source for all the scary stories about the “crisis.” Who funds them? CRL
#22
When re-distribution of wealth is your goal and you have a willing congress ready with the bail-outs, of course it’s irrelevant if the borrowers defaulted. With the banks being strong-armed into lending to risky borrowers, is it any wonder that they give sweetheart deals to the likes of Dodd.
Michelle: to answer your question:
NO - the GOP is NOT home.
We’re so screwed!
At this point I am hoping that the destruction of the R party from it’s leadership will lead to a Phoenix like rebirth.
Escribo en espanol por favor?
How’s that? I’m guessing we’d better be learning or brushing up on spanish. Seems to be the future favored language of either party now….
At least until the mooslims take over : (
We’re Screwed ‘08
Truesoldier, I doubt that the destruction of the R party is eminent, but I do hope a viable living strong third party is in the birthing process.
We could name it the AFD Party. Americans For Democracy.
Fred Thompson can be president, he will fix all the alphabet problems, NEA, ACORN, NAFTA, ETC
More likely, when the Obamessiah begins his reign, the powers that will be pulling his strings will also do whatever it takes to make sure the Republican party remains dead along with silencing the voices of conservativism.
To quote Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan (Ret.) “Hope is not a method.”
Anybody recall how close Obama is to Acorn?
Not only did he do pro bono legal work for them on the motor voter law in IL, but he freely used their people as shock troops for his campaigns.
As a board member of the Woods Foundation, he steered many grants their way. And as a state senator, he made sure they got their share of “non-profit money.
Obama has been in bed with these people for more than a decade. Time for someone to pull back the covers.
The Republicans are just as guilty because they enable the crime. I am so totally disgusted. Our area is having a hard time getting volunteers for the election or even showing up when big names come here. I am certainly not going to help this year. The anger runs deep.
Wouldn’t there be a stench from all of the..ahem…nocturnal emissions?
“This is not the ACORN I know.”
(we’re gonna need a bigger bus)
?!? You guys are surprised that the GOP doesn’t oppose ACORN? The GOP hasn’t listened to actual conservatives in about 20 years. Remember when Bush I renounced his life membership in the NRA, then raised taxes? “No child left behind,” aka ‘Socialized Education 5-Year Plan #1′? McCain’s pro-socialized medicine stance? Come on, the GOP is run by neo-cons, and a neocon is just a Marxist who claims to have found Jesus. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if ol’ McLame actually supports ACORN.
Which leads to my suggestion: why don’t we change the “party colors” for dem/rep to red & yellow (D) and pink (R)? At least that way it would be more informative of their actual nature.
Michelle, it would be fitting to include that photo of Silky Pony surrounded by all those corrupt Acorns down in the Chocolate City (credit: School Bus Ray Nagin).
Back when he was a “community organizer”, Barack Obama worked closely with ACORN. He’s part of the problem. This org. is a sham and needs to be defunded of tax dollars NOW!
This is a surprise? I mean, honestly. Wouldn’t it be more of a surprise if an organization of communists was not trying to undermine the legal foundations of the country?
I bet this is only scratching the surface. Any NFP organization that claims to be non political, i’m looking at you United Church of Christ, and uses terms like “Media Justice,” Housing Justice,” etc should be steered clear of.
Of course, the squirrels love ACORNs.
Look I am no McCain supporter at all, but I do think that it is wrong to mischaracterize his plan as “socialized medince”
Here is a link to a Natinal Review article that shows that plan in full. The title does a pretty good job summing it up:
Making it easier for individuals to purchase their own portable health insurance is not what I would call “socialized medicine”
Nope, The GOP of today, as we all know, is the old democratic party. The democrats of today, are the Marxist/democratic party. In November, for the first time in our history, we can vote 1 party…old democrats or Marxist/democrats.
Michelle’s link sends you to “Blowing the Whistle on Acorn”.
Select her link to the Consumers Rights League and sign their petition.
I did and got:
“Thank you for signing our petition asking Chairman Frank to call a hearing of the Financial Services Committee to investigate ACORN.”
But and Big Butt, note who the chairman of the committee is………Sheeeesh!! Dumb of me to have been disappointed…
Anyway, here’s a link to the committee/members, none in my state..