ACORN Orders Investigation Into Programs

ACORN is ordering an independent investigation into its community service programs after undercover videos exposed questionable behavior by its employees, the AP reports. The group also said it would put its programs on hold while it conducts staff training. A series of videos show ACORN employees instructing a fake prostitute and pimp—the same man, James O'Keefe, did a similar "sting" video at Planned Parenthood—to lie about their employment on an application for housing aid.

Since the first video surfaced, the Senate has voted to block ACORN from receiving any HUD grants. The group—which helps poor people get housing aid and backed President Obama with a strenuous get-out-the-vote campaign—also has been cut out of work on the 2010 Census and may lose a $1 million FEMA grant to assess fire safety in low-income neighborhoods of New Orleans. Republicans want to cut off all federal money.
(More Acorn stories.)