The following letter was sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley by Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman and Senate Minority Whip Nancy Jacobs. A copy was provided to The Dagger.
September 17, 2009
Governor Martin O’Malley
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Governor O’Malley
The members of the Senate Republican Caucus have been troubled by the national scandal exposed over the past week about actions of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform) staff members who offered advice on undertaking criminal activity and defrauding federal and state governments. The fact that the first release of such information involved ACORN staff operating in Baltimore City has blemished our state’s reputation.
We are also concerned about the lack of interest by those responsible for upholding the state’s laws in proceeding with an investigation of these actions of ACORN. Both Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia Jessemy and Attorney General Douglas Gansler have offered public commentary on the Shari Ellicker show (WBAL Radio) professing that no investigation is needed because no one in their Maryland constituency is upset by this national controversy.
We believe that public confidence is shaken when the chief law enforcement officials turn a blind eye towards potential criminal activity in the state. Potential violations of several state and federal law occur when staff of a private nonprofit organization, supported by public financing, is providing advice on the human trafficking of minors for sexual activity and operating houses of prostitution and avoiding state and federal taxes. In fact, just five months ago the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 542 – Criminal Law – Human Trafficking – Inducing or Enticing because of the public’s overwhelming concerns about criminal activities involving child prostitution. You signed this bill on April 14, 2009
Obviously, state leaders who have shunned this topic are concerned about political ramifications of speaking against ACORN even though they are supposed to be a non-political organization. Maryland law provides specifically for the conduct of an independent criminal investigation when the elected officials are politically compromised.
We call on you to refer this matter to the Maryland State Prosecutor as provided for in, Criminal Procedure Article, Section 14-107(b). ACORN provides services throughout the state of Maryland, therefore, a request by the Governor for the independent State Prosecutor would relieve State’s Attorney Jessemy and Attorney General Gansler of the political liabilities of leading such an investigation of potential criminal activity that is conducted in more than one political subdivision of the state.
A strong statement by you would send a signal to Marylanders as well as citizens across the nation that our state leadership does not condone any actions that would support businesses engaged in the sex trafficking of children. It also would help restore integrity to our state that has been tarnished by this national crisis.
Very truly yours,
Allan H. Kittleman
Senate Minority Leader
Nancy Jacobs
Senate Minority Whip
Cc: Attorney General Douglas Gansler
Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller
It is about time.
This letter was long overdue.
I’m sure they’ll get right on it, just like they did with all those child-molesting priests!
O’Malley does not have the intestinal fortitude to address this issue. I think he will ignore it.
To go after Obama’s own gang (ACORN) requires courage and integrity neither of which can be found in O’Mally’s inventory.
Please explain how ACORN is Obama’s own “gang.”
1.) ACORN signed up 400K illegal voters for Obama in 2008. (These were just the ones that were caught. How many illegal voters had their votes counted in the final tally is unknown).
(Source: Washington Post)
2.) Obama provided legal representation for ACORN in 1995.
(Source: Washington Post)
3.) Obama helped train ACORN workers while working as a community organizer in Chicago. (Source: National Review On-line)
4.) ACORN members rotuinely served as Obama campaign workers in his bid for the Senate in 2004, his campign for a congressional seat in 2000 and in his state senatorial campaign in Illinois in 1996. (Source: National Review On-line)
5.) While a member of the Woods Fund and Joyce Foundation, Obama directed tens of millions of dollars in grant money to various liberal organizations including Chicago ACORN. (Source: New York Times)
It is quite clear that the President has a long and deep history with the ACORN organization. This explains why the main pro-Obama “objective” press does not want to report on this story. It also explains why O’Malley, Gansler and Jessamy do not want to take the steps that they are required to do by law and order an independent investigation of this corrupt organization. Not a single dime of Maryland taxpayer money should be used to fund ACORN, the Enron of the non-profit world.
If Marylanders are forced by O’Malley and company to continue such funding then this current one-party system in this state is every bit as corrupt as the crime-enablers at ACORN.
Intestinal fortitude ? Is that a polite way of saying he doesn’t have the ‘nads. He’s a wimpy Obamabuttkisser. Don’t hold your breath waiting for principled action.
Obamabuttkisser? Huh. Didn’t he back Hilary in the primary?
Yes, O’Malley backed Hillary in the primary and now he is desperately kissing Obama’s butt in hopes that he can land a high level position in the Federal Government. But my gut feeling is that Obama will remember that O’Malley backed Hillary in the primaries and as a payback will pass him over.
Which is a good thing… he is a great Gov that I for one would like to keep in MD! Of course, this is something that we do not need to worry about I suppose, because no matter how much the HC conservative bunch bashes him, MOM is going to destroy any Repub challenger and have him (or her) for lunch.
O’Malley is a great Gov? You are prob right. He will likely get reelected. Read incumbent. 56 million (just what was reported) missing from the Baltimore City school budget during his term as mayor, NO ONE held accountable. In grand MD tradition we promoted him.
In a “special session” he led our corrupt legislature to pass the largest percentage tax increase in Md’s 200+ year history. He also raised his appointed “staff salaries” e.g., PSC, State’s Attorney Pat Jessamy, to name a few, by also record percentages in the face of our current economic state. Have your state services increased? Likely not. Mine certainly have not.
Wake up and pay even a little bit of attention and maybe you will notice the money flowing from your pocket into those chosen ones who have the power to elect people like MOM.
And by the way, all his economic problems are because of Erlich. Just ask him and he will tell you.
I couldn’t care less if he (or you) is a Democrat, Republican or a Stand Up Comic. He is corrupt and his primary interest is in himself and certainly not you or me.
If O’Malley is a leader, I’m Neil Armstrong.
You can pay my share to him if you like him so much.
Joel
Can you spell R.I.C.O.?
Go Dagger !