Bachmann Calls for Independent Investigation into ACORN’s Influence in Minnesota
Washington, D.C.,
Oct 14, 2009 -
Today, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann called once again on Minnesota to follow the national lead and conduct a complete and independent audit of all of ACORN’s activities in the State of Minnesota.
“Recent actions by ACORN employees caught on tape advising tax fraud for a prostitution ‘business’ are not something Minnesotans support,” Bachmann said. “And, they shouldn’t have to wait until another undercover investigator comes to town to verify Minnesota operations aren’t tainted by the same questionable practices.”
In a letter sent to Senator Ann Rest, Chairman, and Representative Mike Beard, Vice Chairman, of the Legislative Audit Commission, Bachmann called for an examination by Minnesota’s Legislative Auditor into ACORN and any of its affiliates in Minnesota. Between 1996 and 2008, $109,000 in state funds were distributed to ACORN and ACORN Housing. During that same time, ACORN ramped up its operations in Minnesota, including its political operations. As Bachmann noted in a letter to Governor Pawlenty last week, “Given what Ms. Kingsley found in her audit of ACORN’s practices and what Ms. Inman discovered as a member of ACORN’s national board, a proper accounting of these state funds seems more than warranted.” *
Bachmann’s letter follows:
October 14, 2009
Senator Ann H. Rest Representative Michael Beard
Chairman, Legislative Audit Commission Vice Chairman, Legislative Audit Commission
205 State Capitol 207 State Office Building
St. Paul, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota
Dear Chairman Rest and Vice Chairman Beard,
I am writing to request that the Legislative Audit Commission direct Minnesota’s Legislative Auditor, Mr. Jim Nobles, to launch a comprehensive investigation into ACORN and its affiliates located in Minnesota. As you know, ACORN has earned an extremely poor reputation for violating the public’s trust and repeatedly disregarding both federal and state laws. This was most recently illustrated when ACORN “counselors” were caught on tape in five separate cities giving advice on how to violate tax and immigration laws and apply for taxpayer-funded housing grants to a couple trying to start a prostitution ring as a legitimate business.
In light of the inappropriate and unlawful activities in which ACORN has engaged, I recently sent the enclosed letter to Governor Tim Pawlenty calling for an audit and independent investigation into the organization’s operations in Minnesota, as well as those of its many local affiliates. It has been reported that ACORN and its affiliate, ACORN Housing, received $109,000 in state funds from 1996 to 2008. However, it is unclear how that money was spent and whether the organization received federal or state tax dollars in Minnesota in years prior to 1996. As my letter to the Governor further details, several analyses of ACORN’s weak internal controls should provide more than enough evidence that the organization may have used taxpayer dollars improperly and an audit is warranted.
I have spoken with the Governor about this matter, and as I recall, the Legislative Audit Commission has authority to direct the Legislative Auditor to conduct such an investigation. I urge you to make this an immediate priority. Minnesota’s taxpayers are outraged at ACORN’s blatant disrespect for the law and deserve to know exactly how the organization has spent their tax dollars.
Thank you for your consideration of this request and please do not hesitate to contact me or my Legislative Director, Jessica Perry, should you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Michele Bachmann
Member of Congress
Enclosure
cc: Senator David Senjem, Minority Leader, Minnesota Senate
Rep. Kurt Zellers, Minority Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives
Mr. Jim Nobles, Legislative Auditor, State of Minnesota
* Ms. Kingsley refers to an attorney who conducted a full internal audit reported to ACORN on June 19, 2008. Amongst other serious breaches in organizational structure and legal compliance, Ms. Kingsley found a lack of firewalls between ACORN’s political and non-political operations. The full memo can be found on the Congresswoman’s website at http://www.bachmann.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=149064.
Ms. Inman refers to a Minnesota ACORN whistleblower who made observations echoing Ms. Kingsley’s.
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