Congressman Lamar Smith, Twenty First Congressional
District of Texas
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Lamar Smith sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder calling for a Special Counsel to investigate allegations of criminal conduct against ACORN. Smith expressed concern that the President’s close political ties to ACORN may prohibit a thorough investigation by Justice Department officials.
Ranking Member Smith issued the following statement along with today’s letter:
“The President’s public support of ACORN creates the appearance of a conflict of interest and could place improper political pressure on DOJ officials to ignore allegations of criminal conduct. In fact, last year, President Obama’s campaign attorney did just that. In a letter to then-Attorney General Michael Mukasey, the Obama campaign’s general counsel urged prosecutors to ignore Republican concerns that ACORN was engaging in voter fraud.
“Because the President’s political ties to ACORN may discourage senior Justice Department officials from authorizing an investigation, I have called on the Attorney General to appoint a special counsel who is independent of the administration and free from any undue political influence.
“Political favoritism has no place at the Justice Department. We’ve already seen this administration dismiss one case against a political ally—the New Black Panther Party—for no apparent reason. I remain concerned that politicization at the Justice Department once again may result in the administration’s political friends getting a free pass. Only an independent investigation can ensure that justice is served in this case.”
Last month, Ranking Member Smith sent letters to Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine and FBI Director Robert Mueller calling for investigations into ACORN’s use of federal funds and possible criminal violations. Inspector General Fine has opened an investigation.
Ranking Member Smith’s letter to Attorney General Holder is attached.
