Acorn sues to reverse funding cutoff

NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- ACORN, the community group that has become a target of conservative attacks, filed a lawsuit Thursday in New York to get its federal funding restored.

In court papers, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now said a congressional resolution that cut it off from federal money amounts to an unconstitutional "bill of attainder," or finding by the legislature of guilt, The New York Times reported. The lawsuit brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights was filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

"It's a classic trial by the Legislature," said Jules Lobel, a lawyer representing ACORN. "They have essentially determined the guilt of the organization and any organization affiliated or allied with it."

ACORN was targeted by Republicans in recent elections for alleged voter fraud. Some local ACORN officials have been charged with breaking state laws on voter registration.

A conservative activist posing as a pimp seeking to use underage girls as sex workers filmed encounters with ACORN staffers in several cities. While some staff members called law enforcement agencies, others gave him advice.

ACORN has undertaken an internal investigation of the matter.