The community activist group ACORN announced Monday it is folding amid falling revenues — six months after video footage emerged showing some of its workers giving tax tips to conservative activists posing as a pimp and prostitute.
“It’s really declining revenue in the face of a series of attacks from partisan operatives and right-wing activists that have taken away our ability to raise the resources we need,” ACORN spokesman Kevin Whelan said.
Several of its largest affiliates, including ACORN New York and ACORN California, broke away this year and changed their names in a bid to ditch the tarnished image of their parent organization and restore revenue that ran dry in the wake of the video scandal.
Calif.: Jackson doc halted CPR to collect vials, papers state
Michael Jackson’s doctor halted CPR on the dying pop star and delayed calling paramedics so he could collect drug vials at the scene, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The allegation that Dr. Conrad Murray may have tried to hide evidence is likely to be a focus as prosecutors move ahead with their involuntary manslaughter case against him. The account was given to investigators by Alberto Alvarez, Jackson’s logistics director.
Bragging shoplifters jailed
A Southern California couple who bragged on the “Dr. Phil” show about making $100,000 by selling shoplifted toys on eBay was sentenced Monday to federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Irma Gonzalez sentenced Matthew Eaton, 34, of San Marcos to 27 months in prison, while his wife, Laura Eaton, 27, was sentenced to a year. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines. Matthew Eaton told the judge he regretted going on “Dr. Phil.” “I hurt myself. I hurt my family,” he said. “I was shoplifting. I don’t deny that at all.”
D.C.: Judge orders man held at Guantanamo Bay released
A federal judge on Monday ordered the Pentagon to release a long-held Mauritanian captive held at Guantanamo Bay who was once considered such a high-value detainee that former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld designated him for “special interrogation techniques.” U.S. District Judge James Robertson’s ruling was classified, so there was no immediate explanation for why he granted the habeas corpus petition of Mohamedou Slahi, 39. A notation in court files said an unclassified version of the ruling would be made available, but didn’t say when.
Texas Republican says he shouted ‘baby killer’
Texas Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer acknowledged Monday that he is the lawmaker who shouted out “baby killer” during a floor speech by Rep. Bart Stupak, an anti-abortion Democrat whose vote was crucial to passing the Democratic health care bill Sunday evening. Neugebauer, who has represented a solidly GOP district, said he had apologized to Stupak for his outburst, which drew a rebuke from the chair during the often-rowdy debate. Neugebauer insisted in a statement that he was not referring directly to Stupak but to the agreement that the Michigan Democrat helped work out with the White House.
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