In September, 2009, Proskauer, by way of Scott Harshbarger, was retained by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (“ACORN”) to conduct an independent analysis of the videos that caused this summer’s uproar as well as the organization as a whole, including its core weaknesses and inherent strengths.
The serious management challenges detailed in our report are the fault of ACORN’s founder and a cadre of leaders who, in their drive for growth, failed to commit the organization to the basic, appropriate standards of governance and accountability. As a result, ACORN not only fell short of living its principles but also left itself vulnerable to public embarrassment.