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August 01, 2024

Former NRA Head Wayne LaPierre Receives 10-Year Ban from Organization

A New York state judge has banned Wayne LaPierre, the former long-serving chief of the National Rifle Association (NRA), from participating in the gun rights advocacy group for 10 years. This ruling follows a jury's decision that found LaPierre and other NRA leaders liable for misappropriating millions of dollars from the organization.

On Monday, New York Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen handed down the decision, which was not the complete victory that New York Attorney General Letitia James had sought. James initially aimed to have an external monitor appointed to oversee the NRA or even dissolve the organization entirely. Instead, Cohen instructed James and the NRA to negotiate potential reforms.

According to the attorney general's office, Judge Cohen outlined several priorities for potential NRA reforms. These include retaining a compliance consultant to ensure changes are implemented, overhauling the internal audit committee, reducing the size of the board, and easing the process for candidates to stand for board positions.

"After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leaders are finally being held accountable," James said in a statement.

James filed the lawsuit against the NRA and its senior officers in August 2020, seeking to dissolve the 150-year-old registered charity over allegations that its senior leadership diverted millions of dollars through contracts awarded to close associates and family members.

In February, a month after LaPierre resigned from his NRA post, a jury found him and other NRA executives had abused their positions by using the organization's funds for personal expenses, including lavish trips. LaPierre, 74, was found to have caused the NRA $5.4 million in damages and must pay $4.35 million.

Wilson "Woody" Phillips, the NRA's treasurer and former chief financial officer, was also banned from serving in the nonprofit for 10 years and is required to pay $2 million in damages.

"The NRA and its senior leaders broke the law and funneled millions of dollars in cash and lavish perks to themselves, their families, and NRA insiders," James said. "The damages portion of the case we presented, as well as the earlier trial before the jury, demonstrated that the NRA had a stunning lack of accountability and its leaders engaged in illegality and self-dealing."

The NRA responded that the decision means it will not pay fines while collecting awards from LaPierre and Phillips. The organization will continue to pursue its mission.

"We recognize the importance of the jury's findings and will continue our commitment to good governance," NRA President Bob Barr said in a statement.