Nation briefs

Computers, records seized at ACORN offices

NEW ORLEANS | State investigators raided ACORN offices on Friday, taking away computer hard drives and documents as part of a probe into alleged embezzlement and tax fraud when the organization’s national headquarters was based in New Orleans.

“This is an investigation of everything — ACORN, the national organization, the local organization and all of its affiliated entities, specifically as it relates to any potential violations of Louisiana law,” Assistant Attorney General David Caldwell said.

ACORN staff on the scene declined to comment, but an attorney for the group said in a statement the raid was prompted by allegations that former ACORN employees had removed or altered electronic documents and may do so in the future.

Attorney Pamela Marple said ACORN was cooperating and called the raid exhaustive, saying investigators wanted “virtually every document in the possession of ACORN and any related entity.”

The raid was the latest development for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Videotapes released recently showed ACORN employees offering tax advice to two people in Baltimore posing as a prostitute and her pimp. The videos led Congress and state governments to cut funding for ACORN.

Stepfather convicted in death of ‘Baby Grace’

GALVESTON, Texas | A Texas jury has convicted a man for the 2007 beating death of his 2-year-old stepdaughter, whose battered body was found in a container floating in Galveston Bay.

Jurors deliberated for 4 1/2 hours Friday before convicting Royce Clyde Zeigler II of capital murder. He receives an automatic life sentence since prosecutors didn’t seek the death penalty.

Zeigler and his wife, Kimberly Trenor, were accused of killing Riley Ann Sawyers during a discipline session that spun out of control. Trenor was the child’s mother. She was convicted of capital murder in February and also received an automatic life sentence.

The child was known as “Baby Grace” until relatives in Ohio identified her as Riley Ann Sawyers.

Party leader pleads guilty to hitting son

MINDEN, Nev. | A Nevada Democratic Party leader who pleaded guilty to hitting his teenage son and throwing him on the hood of a car has resigned, according to a letter received Friday by a newspaper.

Paul Belt, the party chairman of Douglas County, said in a letter to the Record-Courier that he resigned his post after his “regrettable actions.”

He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor count of domestic battery. He was sentenced to a suspended one-year jail term and ordered to attend counseling.

Story Continues →