Did Census Bureau really "fire" ACORN, or keep them on the payroll with a new identity?

There are breaking news reports that the U.S. Census Bureau has severed ties with ACORN due to the continuing scandal surrounding that organization.

In a letter to ACORN's national headquarters, Census Director Robert M. Groves wrote:

"Over the last several months, through ongoing communication with our regional offices, it is clear that ACORN's affiliation with the 2010 Census promotion has caused sufficient concern in the general public, has indeed become a distraction from our mission, and may even become a discouragement to public cooperation, negatively impacting 2010 Census efforts."

"Unfortunately, we no longer have confidence that our national partnership agreement is being effectively managed through your many local offices. For the reasons stated, we therefore have decided to terminate the partnership."

But ACORN's move last June to distance itself from its tarnished name may mean that the Census Bureau's announcement is just a ruse. Did they really "fire" ACORN, or are they still on the Census payroll under their new alias, Community Organizations International?

Would you care to clarify, Mr. Groves?