Responding to recent videos of ACORN employees trying to help people skirt tax laws, ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis announced that the group had stopped accepting new tax clients as of noon today while an internal investigation is undertaken.

In a release, the Lewis said:

 “As a result of the indefensible action of a handful of our employees, I am, in consultation with ACORN’s Executive Committee’, immediately ordering a halt to any new intakes into ACORN’s service programs until completion of an independent review. I have also communicated with ACORN’s independent Advisory Council, and they will assist ACORN in naming an independent auditor and investigator to conduct a thorough review of all of the organizations relevant systems and processes. That reviewer, to be named within 48 hours, will make recommendations directly to me and to the full ACORN Board. We enter this process with a commitment that all recommendations will be implemented.”

Lewis also ordered in-service training for all frontline staff within 48 hours.

Udate: Local ACORN staffer says intakes for other services, such as benefits screening, have also been suspended.