Maryland may charge ACORN video-makers, State's Prosecutor heads anti-child abuse group UPDATED

James O'Keefe, the filmmaker who teamed with National Journalism Center intern Hannah Giles in the ACORN video sting, now faces the prospect of being prosecuted by the Baltimore City State's Attorney for violating a Maryland law that makes it illegal to tape an individual without their prior permission.

If he is convicted, O'Keefe could spend five years in the Maryland State Prison. Yes, you read that right. Here's the complete statement issued late yesterday by the prosecutor, Patricia Jessamy:

"Baltimore, MD – September 11, 2009 – We have received inquiries from citizens and the media asking whether the Baltimore City State’s Attorneys Office would initiate a criminal investigation for acts allegedly committed at ACORN offices located in Baltimore. The only information received in reference to this alleged criminal behavior was a YouTube video. Upon review by this office, the video appears to be incomplete. In addition, the audio portion could possibly have been obtained in violation of Maryland Law, Annotated Code of Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article §10-402, which requires two party consent.

"If it is determined that the audio portion now being heard on YouTube was illegally obtained, it is also illegal under Maryland Law to willfully use or willfully disclose the content of said audio. The penalty for the unlawful interception, disclosure or use of it is a felony punishable up to five years.”

Jessamy, a Democrat, was appointed to the State's Prosecutor position in 1995 and has since been re-elected to the job three times. Among the items listed on Jessamy's extensive resume of accomplishments is that she is president of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center. She also lists her prior membership on the Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect from 1995 to 1998!

Let's be clear about what is happening here: O'Keefe and Giles dressed up as a pimp and prostitute and walked into the Baltimore ACORN office seeking "tax advice" for a brothel that would include the use of 13-year-old sex slaves from San Salvador. Two ACORN advisers happily provided all kinds of advice about how to deceive federal and state tax authorities about the true nature of the "business," and how to insure that the prostitutes "keep their mouths shut."

In other words, two ACORN employees appear to have voluntarily become accessories to multiple federal, state and local crimes, including child abuse, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, tax evasion, and immigration law violations. The two ACORN employees may also have thus provided hard evidence that their employer should be prosecuted as a criminal enterprise under the RICO statutes.

And the Baltimore City State's Attorney may prosecute the two people responsible for exposing this heinous operation!
By: Mark Tapscott
Editorial Page Editor
09/12/09 7:56 AM EDT

Meanwhile, in most states there are video cameras posted on traffic lights to expose bad drivers speeding? Should that be illegal as well? The driver did not get permission to have his car videod.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS FAIR? DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD PUSH THE WHEEL IN GETTING MARYLAND'S LAW CHANGED.

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