ACORN, co-defendant plead not guilty in registration case

ACORN, the grass-roots community organizing group, and a co-defendant pleaded not guilty Tuesday in District Court to felony charges in connection with illegal voter registrations during last year's presidential campaign.

Prosecutors say ACORN and Amy Busefink permitted a Las Vegas field director to run an illegal cash incentive program to encourage employees to register voters during the 2008 election cycle.

Prosecutors say the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now also had an illegal quota policy that forced employees to register a certain number of people per shift or face termination.

Such an incentive program and quota system are prohibited by Nevada law, which says it is "unlawful for a person to provide compensation for registering voters that is based upon the total number of voters a person registers."

A trial was set for April 19 before District Judge Donald Mosley. Defense attorneys are planning to file motions to dismiss the case because they claim the law is vague and unconstitutional.

ACORN defense attorney Lisa Rasmussen said the motion will be similar to one filed in federal court by ACORN attorneys trying to dismiss a case that has been filed in Pennsylvania. Nevada and Pennsylvania laws regarding illegal incentive programs and quota systems are similar.

Busefink's attorney, Kevin Stolworthy, said he is looking forward to presenting the case to a jury.

The prosecution's case revolves around the testimony of Christopher Edwards, ACORN's Las Vegas field director during the 2008 election who created the incentive program.

The program, called Blackjack or 21-Plus, rewarded employees with $5 extra per shift if they brought in 21 or more completed voter registration cards.

Edwards pleaded guilty in August to two gross misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit compensation. As part of the plea deal, the state attorney general's office dropped 13 felony counts of compensation for registration of voters against Edwards and he agreed to testify against Busefink and ACORN.

Busefink is a longtime employee of Project Vote who worked in partnership with ACORN in 2008 and oversaw Edwards. Project Vote is a national grass-roots organization that aims to register voters.

ACORN is charged with 13 counts of compensation for registration of voters. Busefink faces 13 counts of aiding the compensation for registration of voters. Busefink faces mandatory probation if convicted. As an organization, ACORN can be fined a maximum of $5,000 per count if found guilty.

Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 18.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.