New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against leaders of the National Rifle Association (NRA) for allegations of fraud for their personal benefit. They are now looking into potentially dismantling the longtime pro-gun lobbying group.
What We Know:
- The state of New York accuses much of the NRA leadership, such as CEO Wayne LaPierre, of redirecting a considerable amount of money from donations for his own use. The lawsuit claims that roughly $64 million was taken away from the group in the span of three years.
In a news conference announcing the suit, James stated that “Mr. LaPierre exploited the organization for his and his family’s personal benefit and a close circle of NRA staff, board members and vendors.”
- James accused LaPierre and various others of allegedly using the NRA as their “personal piggy bank.” Her office taking action now was a result of these acts, severely damaging the assets of the organization.
- In retaliation, the NRA fired back, claiming that the lawsuit was a political stunt, nothing more. NRA President Carolyn Meadows said in a statement, “This was a baseless, premeditated attack on our organization and the Second Amendment freedoms it fights to defend.”
- President Trump also spoke on the matter and suggested the NRA simply relocate. According to James, ever since it’s founding in 1871, The NRA is registered as a not-for-profit organization in the state of New York, and are required by law to register and file annual financial reports with the office of the New York State Attorney General.
- As far as the relocation comment, Trump added that he thinks the NRA should move to Texas, as he claims to have been saying for a while, in order to operate smoothly.
- The lawsuit shouldn’t be a major surprise considering James’s office had already been investigating the NRA for a while. A little over a year ago, the Attorney General issued subpoenas following a campaign promise to release its finances. Around the same time, the AG’s office let go of the former NRA president, Oliver North, as a result of another investigation. The NRA tried to sue but to no avail.
- As powerful as the organization is, the NRA is also a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting salaries and jobs, along with a weaker presence in the 2020 election year. Whether the NRA was donating funds for any particular political campaign has yet to be disclosed.
Aside from attempting to dissolve the NRA as a whole, the lawsuit also seeks restitution from LaPierre and other executives involved and banned from ever serving on the board of a New York-registered charity.
