Shelby wants ACORN investigation

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) is asking that both the Senate and executive branch open investigations into the actions of ACORN.

The Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) has come under fire recently when an undercover video showed employees offering to falsify housing applications for individuals claiming to be involved in prostitution.  Additionally, former ACORN employees were arrested for allegedly falsifying vote applications during the 2008 election.

ACORN has stressed that the actions were the work of a few employees and do not represent the organization's policies.

Shelby, the top Republican on the committee that handles Housing and Urban Affairs, penned letters to chairman Chris Dodd (D) and the inspector general of the Department of Housing and Urban Development requesting an "immediate an thorough investigation" into ACORN's activities.

The move comes a day after the Senate voted to strip funding ACORN of its federal funding.

"While this vote is important, it is limited in scope and we must know more," Shelby said.

"It is imperative that we proceed immediately to investigate what appears to be ACORN’s stunning disregard for the law and abuse of taxpayer funds.  Such an investigation would serve as the basis for determining not only whether ACORN is worthy of receiving other federal funds this year, but ever again.”