JACKSON (AP) — A national leader of ACORN says the embattled community activist group has not received money from the state of Mississippi.

Brian Kettenring is deputy director of national operations for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

Kettenring told The Clarion-Ledger he believes Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was ‘‘playing politics’’ by saying last week that the state would cut off funding for ACORN.

Barbour ordered the state Department of Finance and Administration to review whether public funding has gone to the group. DFA expects to finish that review by Tuesday.

Kettenring said ACORN assisted Mississippians after Hurricane Katrina but received no state funding. He said the group also has helped people renegotiate mortgages to avoid foreclosure.