ACORN files lawsuit against investigative reporters

[melensdad]

Scum. No, that word is not strong enough.

ACORN files suit against filmmakers
By JAKE SHERMAN | 9/23/09 5:21 PM EDT
Updated: 9/23/09 6:24 PM EDT

Read more: ACORN files suit against filmmakers - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com

ACORN filed suit today in Maryland against conservative filmmakers James O’Keefe, Hannah Giles and conservative Web site Breitbart.com for secretly taping the organization’s employees at its Baltimore office.

In the complaint, ACORN alleges that the filmmakers entered into the organization’s offices in July with a “hidden camera and microphone” and taped employees Tonja Thompson and Shera Williams. Both employees are listed as plaintiffs on the complaint, filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

The crux of the lawsuit centers around a Maryland law which makes it illegal to tape someone without their consent – ACORN is alleging O’Keefe and Giles did so. ACORN is asking for $500,000 in damages to be awarded to each of the employees filmed by O'Keefe and Giles, and ACORN itself wants $1 million in damages.

Breitbart.com, one of the suit’s defendants, is run by conservative activist Andrew Breitbart, whose Web site BigGovernment.com first posted most of O’Keefe and Giles’ videos. Breitbart has appeared on television with the filmmaking duo, and has a content-sharing relationship with the Drudge Report.

Read more: ACORN files suit against filmmakers - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com

[rambone]

It will be quite a battle. I think some people on the right will back the filmmakers financially.

[Dryden]

Could you imagine the outrage from the liberals if someone tried to sue Micheal Moore?

[Bigum1969]

ACORN is not going to score any points with this.

Sadly, they may have the law on their side. A law is a law. In MD both parties have to consent to a recording.

They should be focusing on cleaning up their own house, but in true lib fashion they will try to blame everyone else.

[Mgderf]

I think it could be a BIG mistake for Acorn. We can only hope! Keep your fingers crossed.

[Dryden]

Originally Posted by Bigum1969

ACORN is not going to score any points with this.

Sadly, they may have the law on their side. A law is a law. In MD both parties have to consent to a recording.

They should be focusing on cleaning up their own house, but in true lib fashion they will try to blame everyone else.

From what I understand, only telephone conversations are covered by this law. Otherwise 60 Minutes would have been sued right off the air years ago.

[dburkhead]

And Acorn just gives the defendent the power to subpoena ACORN's records through Discovery.

[Bigum1969]

Originally Posted by Dryden

From what I understand, only telephone conversations are covered by this law. Otherwise 60 Minutes would have been sued right off the air years ago.

I hope you are right. I don't want to see ACORN get one cent.

[Mgderf]

Originally Posted by dburkhead

And Acorn just gives the defendent the power to subpoena ACORN's records through Discovery.

If this is true, " Oh God please let this be true", Acorn is going to need MUCH more than the $1million they're suing for!

[5.56'aholic]

Originally Posted by dburkhead

And Acorn just gives the defendent the power to subpoena ACORN's records through Discovery.

oh, that would be the absolute best poetic justice if it were to go down that way.