(CN) - ACORN and a former employee in the Las Vegas field office must stand trial in state court on charges that they gave bonuses to canvassers who collected voter registration cards during last year's presidential campaign, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace William Jansen said a jury should decide whether Amy Busefink and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now are guilty of illegally giving bonuses to canvassers during the campaign, The Associated Press reported.
Former ACORN Las Vegas field director Christopher Edwards testified that he created a bonus incentive program called "Blackjack" or "21+" that gave an extra $5 to any canvasser who turned in at least 21 registration cards.
Paying canvassers for the number of registration cards they collect violates Nevada laws because it may encourage workers to create bogus forms, prosecutors said.
Edwards agreed to plead guilty to two gross misdemeanor counts in exchange for his testimony against Busefink, his former boss.
Arraignment is set for Oct. 14.
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