ACORN, former director plead not guilty to alleged fraud

Justin M. Bowen

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.

By Cara McCoy (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 | 12:04 p.m.

ACORN hearing (9-29-09)

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ACORN

The political advocacy organization ACORN and a former manager pleaded not guilty today to 13 felony charges tied to alleged voter registration fraud.

Amy Busefink, 27, a former regional director for ACORN, entered her not guilty plea today in front of Las Vegas Justice of the Peace William Jansen. ACORN was represented by its attorney, Lisa Rasmussen, who pleaded not guilty on the group’s behalf.

A trial date was set for April 19.

The Nevada attorney general’s office has accused ACORN of operating an illegal bonus system run by the group's Las Vegas office field director, Christopher Edwards.

Under the quota system, called “blackjack” or “21+,” the group is said to have paid canvassers based on the number of voter registration cards they collected each day. The canvassers were to gather at least 20 completed cards each day 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.

Tying money to or setting quotas for collecting voter registration cards is illegal under Nevada law.

Rasmussen said the group intends to file a motion to dismiss the case. Barring a dismissal, Kevin Stolworthy, who represents Busefink, said he intends a vigorous defense.

“I believe in her, sincerely, I really do. We're going to put on evidence at trial and witnesses that they haven't seen yet because the government had the burden at the preliminary hearing,” Stolworthy said. “We're looking forward to the jury trial and the motion to dismiss.”

If convicted, Busefink likely would face probation or less than one year in jail. ACORN could see a $5,000 fine.

Edwards agreed to testify against Busefink and ACORN after pleading guilty in August to two gross misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit the crime of compensation for registration of voters. He will receive probation in return for his testimony.

Nevada Chief Deputy Attorney General Conrad Hafen is the lead prosecutor in the case.

The Election Integrity Task Force, developed by Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller, state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI, last year began to investigate ACORN over questionable voter registration. The charges against ACORN and Busefink stem from information obtained during that investigation.

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

By wizardofOz

10/27/09 at 12:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

Where's the accountability from the Election Division that accepts these phony registrations?

EVERY TIME SOMEONE VOTES, THEIR SIGNATURE IS RECORDED. WHERE'S THE MATCHING OF SIGNATURES FROM THE REAL-TIME VOTERS TO WHAT'S ON FILE IN THE DATABASE...?

WHERE'S THE COMBING OF THE CURRENT VOTER REGISTRATION DATA FOR ILLEGAL REGISTRATIONS, US CITIZENRY, PHONY NAMES, DECEASED PERSONS, "THE SUPERBOWL" TEAMS, PERSONS NOT BORN YET, FELONS, ETC.

THE WHOLE VOTING SYSTEM WHEN IT COMES TO VERIFYING VOTERS IS A FIASCO.

And these ACORN shenanigans ARE ONLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO GOT CAUGHT.

Shameful, just shameful.

(We're spending $3,400,000,000 BUCK$ on upgrading to a "Smart Electic Grid" when we have the STUPIDEST Voter registration and verification system on earth...)
By mred

10/27/09 at 2:13 p.m.

Suggest removal

They need a change of venue because of prejudicial pre-trial publicity on local hate-talk radio station kdwn, kdow, and kxnt as well as the Fox Cable network. It should be moved to San Francisco.
By tannsummers

10/27/09 at 2:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

Wonder if they will receive the Obama Pardon?
By lcdrmandingonamvet

10/27/09 at 2:46 p.m.

Suggest removal

Amy, girl you are just as guilty as Neil Bush. Without a shot being fired, Neil and his WASP posse, they robbed Denver's Silverado Bank of more than $1 BILLION. Amy, unfortunately, you will be going to jail. AWOL-MIA will be Obama because like Clinton, Obama also lacks the NADS to jail Neil Bush. Dixiecrats somtimes tend to eat their young. Clinton-Obama & GOP = BFF!
By lcdrmandingonamvet

10/27/09 at 2:48 p.m.

Suggest removal

WASP have spent more $$$'s investigating Reggie Bush (NFL star) and his family, than they've spent investigating the Bush-Klan (criminal enterprise).
By revtomperl

10/27/09 at 3:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

To be a part of ACORN these days is to be a pariah - all the self-righteous come out and throw things. If there is any justice these things will be worked out and maybe someone on the right will be jailed for wasting the time of the courts.
By DessertSun

10/27/09 at 4:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

ACORN - I'm glad to see their corrupt officials are facing federal charges. An extremely corrupt organization in their zeal to elect radical Democrats, now have to face jail time. How sweet it is!
By boftx

10/27/09 at 4:46 p.m.

Suggest removal

This trial will be a waste of tax-payer money. One has only to look at the potential juror pool. First, if it is based on registered voters, then odds say there will be more Democrats than Republicans called. Second, look at the people who usually can't get out of jury duty, I would suspect that many of them might want to benefit from ACORN in the future.

The fix is already in.
By Narcissa

10/27/09 at 8:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

Hey, Amy, where's your messiah Hussein now that you need his help? I thought he caaared about the people, being a self-proclaimed "citizen of the world" and all.

I can't believe Hussein isn't here to help you out! Remember how super nice and friendly and personable he was when he came to Las Vegas? Like he was your best friend! Like he understood you! Like he really, really caaared.

Oh, so sad, Amy, I know. I'm sure Hussein wasn't using you, though! No sireee, if there's anything of which I'm convinced, it's that Hussein osama would NEVER behave like a typical scumbag Chicago politician and use you for all your soooo sincere efforts for "change" and then just toss you away like an old shoe.

Maybe Hussein is just busy celebrating having played more golf in nine months than PRESIDENT Bush did in three years. Or maybe he's getting ready for one of the many weekly parties he holds!

So busy, I know, Amy!
By LarryVegas

10/28/09 at 10:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

mred rants: "They need a change of venue because of prejudicial pre-trial publicity on local hate-talk radio station kdwn, kdow, and kxnt as well as the Fox Cable network. It should be moved to San Francisco."

I thought mred stated that nobody listens to any of those radio stations. So what's the problem there mred?
By wolf85023

10/28/09 at 12:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

The money ACORN gets form tax payers in Nev. should go to feed the poor in the U.S.
By KillerB

10/28/09 at 7:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

boftx, wolf85023 -- you posted the only reasonable bits here.