I'm trying to figure out the benefit for ACORN in this lawsuit they've filed. Via Politico: The complaint: "The video and audio footage was taken without the knowledge of Williams and/or Thompson and in violation of Maryland's Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code §§ 10-402(a) and 10-410, which requires two party consent to all electronic surveillance. Violation of the law is a felony, and entitles parties whose rights were violated to sue."
ACORN has admitted the guilt of the employees involved, fired them, and says they're retraining and cleaning up their act (right-o), all but admitting that the Giles and O'Keefe findings are accurate. How can filing a lawsuit at this point help them?
Allahpundit points out the obvious - maybe too obvious for ACORN - in that this only serves to keep the scandal in the spotlight: "In one fell swoop, the lawsuit (a) gives Fox a reason to keep covering the story, (b) presents a thorny legal issue that’ll attract media to the scandal who might not otherwise have touched it, and (c) makes ACORN look like they’re trying to punish people who exposed taxpayer-funded corruption. Which, of course, they are."
I mean, they've even lost Barney Frank; how low can they go?
Seems to me that a lawsuit of this nature will open ACORN up to even MORE investigation and not just by undercover filmmakers this time. So what's in it for them? Publicity? It can't be good, so I'm saying no, there. Financial gain? Is a jury really going to award ACORN big bucks on this one? Doubtful.
I'm guessing they drop the suit after they make their point. Whatever that is.
Follow the story on Memeorandum.
Well, ACORN has to get a new form of income from somewhere...
ReplyDeleteI think it's actually just a matter of intimidation. ACORN is going after Giles and O'Keefe as a way to disuade further independent investigation. In other words, if you come after us, we'll pursue you. I think that ACORN is underestimating the public response to this move and the unfavorable publicity from the lawsuit, but I guess we'll see.
ACORN took a hit and now they're looking for a way to avoid getting hit again down the road by other not-so-well-funded indies-- oops, I mean FOX schills or the rich's lapdogs or whatever.