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Christopher Edwards, former ACORN Las Vegas field director, testifies Sept. 29 during a preliminary hearing regarding a voter registration incentive plan.
By Cara McCoy 
Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 | 10:01 a.m.
Amy Busefink, ACORN's deputy regional director, who authorities allege was involved with an alleged illegal voter registration incentive program, appears in court Sept. 29 in Las Vegas.
Sun Archives
- Ex-ACORN official outlines alleged illegal voter registration plan (9-29-2009)
- ACORN, ACLU suit could have Nevada implications (7-22-2009)
- Court hearing set over voter registration allegations (7-15-2008)
- Criminal charges filed against ACORN, two employees (5-4-2008)
- State: No false or stifled votes here (10-29-2008)
- Voter fraud isn’t what – by some – it’s cracked out to be (10-12-2008)
- You can trust that your vote counts in Nevada, election officials say (10-12-2008)
- Gibbons, Gansert care deeply about voter verification (10-9-2008)
- Corrections department unaware of potential voter fraud (10-9-2008)
A former field director for the political advocacy organization ACORN was sentenced today in district court to up to three years of probation.
Christopher Edwards, who in August pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime of compensation for registration of voters, a gross misdemeanor, received a suspended jail sentence and a $500 fine. He has agreed to testify against ACORN and one of its former regional directors, Amy Busefink.
The Nevada attorney general’s office has accused ACORN and Busefink of operating an illegal bonus system. Tying money to or setting quotas for collecting voter registration cards is illegal under Nevada law.
“I take responsibility for what I did,” Edwards told the court. “I’m sorry, I truly am.”
Busefink and ACORN pleaded not guilty on Oct. 27. A trial date is set for April 19.
If convicted, Busefink likely would face probation or less than one year in jail. ACORN could see a $5,000 fine.
The attorney general’s office said Edwards organized and operated a quota system called “blackjack” or “21+” through which the group paid canvassers based on the number of voter registration cards they collected each day. The canvassers were to gather at least 20 completed cards daily and anyone who turned in 21 or more would be given an extra $5.
Busefink, as a manager, is said to have approved the “blackjack” program. But ACORN officials have said Edwards acted alone in developing and carrying it out.
In handing down his sentence, Judge Donald Mosley said he wasn’t pleased with the negotiations but cited Edwards’ agreement to testify in giving him probation. Edwards is also required to complete community service.
Nevada Chief Deputy Attorney General Conrad Hafen is the lead prosecutor in the case. He wasn’t present in court today; David Rickert, a prosecutor in the attorney general’s office, declined comment after the hearing. Edwards and his attorney, Dan Silverstein, declined to speak with the media.
An election task force last year began to investigate ACORN over questionable voter registration tactics. The charges against Edwards, ACORN and Busefink stemmed from information obtained during that investigation.
He'll probably land on his feet with a cushy job in the White House.
These laws are unconstitutional, It will be tied up in court for years, I bet this guy goes on Beck and Hannity
Figures. The PARDON can't be far behind.
A hundred bucks says this guy ends up being Obama's "voting czar."
http://johngalt.podomatic.com/
People get hit harder by the law with a friggin' DUI. Acorn Goodfellas...
ACORN involved in voter fraud? You're kidding right?
http://www.RightWingInc.com
Anti Liberal Stickers
Why is the word "FRAUD" not used in this artical? Shouldn't this be a federal offense?
I believe "Judge" Donald Mosley himself is a spiteful bigot, lier, and hypocrite, who constantly violates the rules himself. Wait, Donald Mosley isn't even his real name. He kinda sounds like a person that would be in prison if he wasn't a judge.
I often wonder how much what's his name's misconduct has cost the taxpayers?
dingo: Is yopu Black, African-American, Negro, or Colored? I gotsta know. I'm be so confused these days.
Probation! The SOB should be tried for TREASON and sent to GITMO! Enough of this crap of taking liberties with our inalienable rights. Hang these ACORN bastards, they have it coming. They knew exactly what they were doing, they felt they were above the law and better than their fellow AMERICANS, they have no excuse, Benedict Arnold had more class.
dingo, Thats so much dribble for so little. Maybe you can tell us all how proud you are for not paying taxes or some other B.S.! Speak english for GOD's sake, Four degrees?
This administration doesn't think much of voting rights -- at least when it comes to non-minorities who are legal citizens; they let the black panter party intimidate white voters by declining to prosecute them. Now this. Just imagine the outrage if a couple of ku klux klanners where standing in front of a polling place trying to intimidate black voters! It's clear, Obama, Holder, and the rest of their "crewe" don't like white people and care not a wit for their rights.
"...Donald Mosley isn't even his real name."
billyl -- so what is "his real name"?
Agustus -- exactly why is it treason and what "our inalienable rights" were violated?
hi guys
It,s a shame mandingo was removed. I kind of waqnted to explore his reasoning. It was fairly shallow, but I thought maybe we could talk some sense.
ACORN in Calif. dumped thousands of documents ahead of scheduled visit from their buddy the Attorney General's office. Problem is someone grabbed them and now they are being published.
http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/23/brea...
From the article:
"An election task force last year began to investigate ACORN over questionable voter registration tactics. The charges against Edwards, ACORN and Busefink stemmed from information obtained during that investigation."
There was no actual voter fraud. Voter fraud only occurs when one of the "people" they register is actually allowed to vote, and none of these fictitious "persons" has ever voted in an election. These guys were trying to make money by meeting registration quotas. That is why this guy was convicted and received probation.
They found out that they couldn't game the system.
Want real voting reform?
Valid picture ID, confirming citizenship and eligibility to vote at that location.
Dip your finger in ink before voting.
Long prison term for individual voter fraud.
Death penalty for systemic fraud.
To deter others from committing crime, the punishment, fines and time served are utilized. Looks to me like they are encouraging it with the whimpy punishment. The costs alone to try this guy will be huge against his measly fine which ACORN will probably pay. Where has the justice gone??
Beck would have to invent acorn if it didn't exist.
This makes room for progressive groups that know what they are doing...
I say prosecute all of them. Send them a message loud and clear, it's a crime and you will pay! Teach other would-be-radicals that they will go to jail is the right thing to do. A light approach only encourages this criminal activity.
DessertSun and ilk -- you want them convicted and jailed and other "off with their heads!" noise. Yet all of you have failed to answer the main question here -- who exactly was harmed enough to put these people away for what's essentially a civil/ administrative matter?
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others." -- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781-82
ACORN - SEIU. What's the difference???
Chris the pimp, Amy the Hooker.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Gateway to the Soul is through the eyes. Look at the eyes of the Pimp. He has Crook written all over his face and eyes.
Obama was very involved with Acorn even though he has tried to deny it.
They should throw these bastards in jail and intoduce them to Bubba.