Baltimore Sun:

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Doug Gansler said the probe will “involve everything,” although she declined to say whether it includes the videos, which could constitute a violation of Maryland’s two-party consent law.

The article mentions that Gansler asked permission to initiate the investigation from Governor Martin O’Malley, whose office made the announcement via a press release. Neither O’Malley’s or Gansler’s website has a news release or other announcement about the ACORN probe as of yet.

ACORN’s spokeswoman told the Sun they “welcome” the investigation as a way to clear their name.

Previously, Gansler had said the ACORN videos made in Baltimore “are no more relevant to us…than a murder that takes place in Florida…”

Gansler also previously refused to remove an ACORN link from his office website. Local State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy refused to investigate ACORN, saying any potential evidence in the video may have been illegally obtained, and threatened to prosecute the makers of the video.

UPDATE
WBAL.com did receive the Governor’s release (which is still not on his official site):

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY GRANTS ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE ACORN

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 21, 2009)- Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that he has granted the Office of the Attorney General the authority to investigate, and if appropriate, prosecute conduct involving the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).

Earlier today, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler requested the authority to investigate allegations of the events surrounding ACORN. The Governor granted the authority pursuant to Article V, §3 of the Constitution of Maryland.

The Office of the Attorney General is authorized to use all necessary subpoena powers, to present to an appropriate grand jury any evidence and testimony considered necessary to carry out this authorization and directive, and to act with the full powers, rights and privileges possessed by a State’s Attorney. If criminal conduct is uncovered by this probe, the Office of Attorney General is authorized to bring and to prosecute appropriate charges in any court of this State against any and all persons and entities involved in or associated with the crimes.

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WBAL.com also reported the following:

The Governor has given the authority for the Attorney General to investigate the activities of ACORN in Baltimore.

The move comes after hidden camera video surfaced in Baltimore and across the country of ACORN employees giving advice to a man and woman posing as a pimp and prostitute.

Members of Maryland’s Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter to the Governor last week requesting he have the State Prosecutor investigate the organization.

O’Malley’s office says the AG requested the authority today.

Attorney General Gansler’s office tells WBAL Radio, “ordinarily as we stated this falls in the jursidication of the local prosecutor. As time when on it became clear the local authorities were not going to pursue the matter. It was obvious someone needed to look into it.”