WASHINGTON (CNN) – The head of ACORN on Tuesday sharply deplored recent videos showing some of the group's workers advising people how to set up a prostitution business.
"It made my stomach turn," Bertha Lewis, chief executive officer of ACORN, told reporters at the National Press Club in Washington. "It just made you sick."
ACORN workers who did perform their tasks properly "did not deserve to have co workers who did not live up to their standards," Lewis said.
"So yes, I terminated those employees."
At the same time, Lewis defended the community organizing group and punched back at widespread criticism, touting the group's efforts in helping poor people in the areas of housing and voting.
She backed up the group's legal action in Maryland against the makers of one of the videos. Video, shot with a hidden camera, shows conservative activists posing as a pimp and a prostitute. Lewis said that "we want to hold them accountable" for what she said was breaking the law.
Similar videos were made at other ACORN offices.
From CNN Politics
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Good then clean house, open up the books for all to see.
ACORN should be prosecuted under the fedaral racketeering law, RICO. Clearly this organization is a criminal enterprise. The IRS should audit where every US taxpayer dollar went. Obama's connection needs investigation as well.
Ruh roh! Here come the comments from "real Americans". Ready to point out how everyone who is a minority doesn't pay taxes, whatches Oprah, smokes dope, is on welfare, drives badly, is here illegally and cooks weird, stinky food. Did I forget anything? Have a nice day!
Too late to pretend. There should be a full federal investigation into Obama's buddies over in ACORN. it is a sprawling mess of clubs and organizations.
Setting up an out of control organization is not an excuse. I remember Obama get-out-the-vote people saying they would do whatever it took. This is an example. Obama supporters high on campaigning should not be above the law.
The sooner this outfit is put out of its misery the better!!!
What a shameful sham!!!
Terminating those employees was NOT enough. We want your first-born child too!
Hope this ACORN doesn't grow. Corrupt organization to be sure.
I think it is time to also defund all those defense contractors who have actually defrauded the American Government and have been fined hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars for their wrongdoing. No more contracts to Halliburton, Blackwater, and Xe as well.
Regardless of what Fox tells you, Mickey Mouse did not vote in the last election. You cannot vote without a valid registration.
The republicans are swatting at flies while defense contractors rip taxpayers off for billions.
It is time to launch a full scale investigation into Dick Cheney's Halliburton, Blackwater and Xe. They are the real criminals.
more SMOKE from an accorn.