The New York Attorney General’s Office posted a press release announcing their successful prosecution of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre and others in a civil corruption trial.
Wayne LaPierre was found guilty of breach of fiduciary duty and assessed damages of $4.3 million. John Frazier was also found guilty of the same charge but the jury didn’t assess any restitution for damages to him.
The jury also found former NRA Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Wilson Phillips guilty as well. The jury tagged him for $2 million.
Meanwhile the jury also found the NRA as an organization guilty of failing to properly administer its charitable assets, violating N.Y. law protecting whistleblowers in addition to retaliating against those trying to bring attention to improper or illegal acts by the organization—including false filings.
Letitia James details much of this in her press release:
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that the jury in her case against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and three current and former senior leaders has found the defendants liable for violating the law. The jury found that Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and former Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wilson “Woody” Phillips were liable for financial misconduct and corruption in managing the organization. The jury concluded that LaPierre abused his position for his personal benefit and steered lucrative contracts to friends and relatives, including spending millions of organization dollars on lavish travel, private planes, expensive clothing, and more. LaPierre was found to have caused the NRA $5.4 million in damages and must pay $4.35 million. The jury also determined that Attorney General James has shown cause for removal of LaPierre from the NRA based upon his violations.
The jury also found that the NRA failed to properly administer charitable funds and violated state laws that protect whistleblowers. Phillips and the current General Counsel and Corporate Secretary John Frazer were found liable for failing to uphold their duties as nonprofit executives. Phillips was ordered to pay $2 million in damages. Frazer and the NRA were also found liable for making false statements on the NRA’s regulatory filings.
“This verdict is a major victory for the people of New York and our efforts to stop the corruption and greed at the NRA,” said Attorney General James. “For years, Wayne LaPierre used charitable dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle, spending millions on luxury travel, expensive clothes, insider contracts, and other perks for himself and his family. LaPierre and senior leaders at the NRA blatantly abused their positions and broke the law. But today, after years of rampant corruption and self-dealing, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA are finally being held accountable. We will not hesitate to pursue justice against any individual or organization that violates our laws or our trust, no matter how powerful they are.”
Over the course of a six-week trial, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) presented evidence revealing the extent of the NRA and its senior leaders’ violations of the law and misuse of NRA funds. The evidence presented included:
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- Invoices of repeated private flight trips to the Bahamas taken by Wayne LaPierre with friends and family and paid for by the NRA, including some invoices which concealed passengers and destinations;
- Invoices of helicopter trips to NASCAR races to avoid being stuck in traffic;
- Expense reports submitted by Wayne LaPierre and paid by the NRA for reimbursement of outdoor mosquito treatment at his house, landscaping for his house, and gifts for friends and family;
- A no-show post-employment contract between the NRA and Woody Phillips to pay him $360,000 annually in addition to $3,500 in monthly office rent;
- Invoices worth more than $4 million dollars from the NRA’s then-largest vendor, Ackerman McQueen, for “out-of-pocket” expenses that had no detail and were used as a pass through for other expenses incurred by NRA Executives, including high end travel expenses for Wayne LaPierre and hair and makeup expenses for LaPierre’s wife; and
- Testimony from whistleblowers detailing harassment, intimidation, or other forms of retaliation by the NRA for raising concerns about the misuse of funds.
Following the jury determination of liability against the NRA and the individual defendants, a separate court proceeding before Justice Cohen, sitting without a jury, will be held to determine whether to award non-monetary relief, including:
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- Whether an independent compliance monitor, which would report to the Court, should be appointed to ensure the proper administration of the NRA’s charitable assets.
- Whether an independent governance expert should be appointed to advise the Court on reforms necessary to the NRA’s governance to ensure the proper administration of the NRA’s charitable assets.
- Whether Wayne LaPierre and Woody Phillips should be permanently barred from re-election or appointment as an NRA officer or director, or from any other New York state not-for-profit corporation.
- Whether the NRA and John Frazer should be barred from soliciting or collecting funds on behalf of any charitable organization operating in New York.
Attorney General James thanks the jury for their time and service.
Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the NRA, LaPierre and the other current and former senior officers in August 2020. In January 2021, Judge Joel Cohen ruled in Attorney General James’ favor and denied motions to dismiss the case and change the court venue. In January 2021, the NRA filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid accountability by trying to reorganize in Texas. In May 2021, a federal bankruptcy court in Texas rejected the NRA’s bankruptcy petition, stating, “that the NRA did not file the bankruptcy petition in good faith.”
In September 2022, Judge Joel Cohen rejected another attempt by the NRA to challenge the Attorney General’s claims and affirmed that Attorney General James can seek an independent monitor to ensure the proper administration of the NRA’s charitable assets as part of her lawsuit. In December 2023, the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department affirmed that decision. In January 2024, a final effort to delay the trial was rejected by the Appellate Division, First Department.
On the eve of the trial, Wayne LaPierre stepped down as Executive Vice President and CEO of the NRA, a role he held for more than 30 years. Also days before the trial, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reached a $100,000 settlement with the NRA’s former Executive Director of Operations and Chief of Staff Joshua Powell in which he admitted wrongdoing.
The OAG’s litigation and trial team was led by Assistant Attorney General and Special Counsel Monica Connell and Chief of the Enforcement Section Emily Stern, with a team of attorneys and legal assistants, including Bureau Chief James Sheehan, Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan Conley, Erin Kandel, Jonathan Lester, Alexander Mendelson, Steve Shiffman, Daniel Sugarman, Stephen Thompson, and William Wang, and legal assistant Nyna Sargent — all of the Charities Bureau. Additional assistance was provided by Jacqueline Sanchez, Sophia Friedman, Luz Ceballos-Lopez and Imani Saddler. The Charities Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and led by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
What does that mean for the NRA as a whole? It mean the judge in case has great latitude in appointing monitors to oversee the organization and potentially even removing those currently leading the organization. Time will tell how that works out.
Meanwhile some of LaPierre’s cronies, some of whom no doubt benefitted from lucrative contracts with the organization, may choose to leave. After all, NRA’s donors no doubt remember all of those invectives hurled by LaPierre’s loyalists at those who tried to expose improper, immoral or illegal actions by the WLP and his allies. Their allegations, proved as true during this trial, were at the time labelled as “slanderous lies.”
Donors will remember who defended LaPierre’s self-serving or made excuses for it. If those people take over the organization, little will probably change within the organization and so too little will change with the declining revenues.
This year’s NRA Annual Meetings in Dallas should prove quite … entertaining.
Moreover, James’ civil corruption prosecution has done more to help reform the NRA than multiple attempts by members in recent years to cull corruption from the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. In a great irony, Letitia James was actually fighting to make the NRA stronger by removing the most corrupt aspects of the orgs leadership. We’re unsure if she recognizes that through the fog of her hate for the most well-known gun rights organization in America.
So if the judge has great latitude in appointing monitors, what if he’s an anti-gun nutjob and appoints people who would want to destroy it?
If Shannon Watts gets a board appointment???
Then I blame WLP and the entire NRA board. For giving the New York AG a very good legal reason for doing so. A nightmare scenario???
Yes.
Is that a rhetorical question Gipper?
Here is another rhetorical question for you. If Watts gets a seat on the board, how many of the Fudds out there, will still continue to give money to the NRA???
Because a Fudd is never F#cking paying attention.
C’mon Chris the NRA hasn’t done squat for year’s except squander members $. John Boch do you know of anyone with a KaliKey who has any problems? I can’t afford a Mini 14 non tactical but can afford a bolt for may rifle residing in Indiana🙄
It’s to bad the “leadership” in the “gun community” isn’t more morally straight. Unfortunately these gun owning degenerates have handed “a loaed gun” to the gun grabbers. Who will use it to shoot and kill our civil rights.
Cuck that Funt! It should have lost it’s law license when it ran on going after Trump. What happened to the ethics side of the bar?
Really, Letitia James’ pre-election statements were not unethical.
She clearly stated to the public that she had seen enough credible evidence on Donald Trump‘s criminal behavior that she felt an investigation and possible prosecution were warranted.
The people of New York clearly heard what she said, and elected her as Attorney General.
To her credit, Letitia James did not conceal her distaste for Trump, and ambush him after the election. She made it clear before the election she felt there should be an investigation and The People agreed.
As did the judge.
My friend, left unchecked, this anger will consume you.
As a respite, may I offer you seven minutes of almost unbearable beauty:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIhq1tb8Co&pp=ygUKYW5kcmUgcmlldQ%3D%3D
WARNING: I wouldn’t click on any links that Miner49er provides.
He’s been proven a liar and often links to unreliable far-left sources. His links might look innocuous but I’m concerned about contracting viruses and malware. A word to the wise: beware!
“He’s been proven a liar and often links to unreliable far-left sources“
Another unsubstantiated ad hominem attack, rather than a coherent response to my comment.
“To her credit, Letitia James did not conceal her distaste for Trump, and ambush him after the election. She made it clear before the election she felt there should be an investigation and The People agreed.”
So you think the fact that she ran her campain on “Going after Trump” was ethical.
Of course you do! And that says everything that we need to know about your ethics.
He/she/it is owned by Soros
I don’t get involved in the back and forth on these forums. Too much emotion on both sides, not enough common sense.
But I sure do get a kick out of some of the wild responses to your postings.
Appreciate the entertainment.
Hickok 45 ghosted me on his YT channel for pointing all this out while he was still shilling for the NRA.
Then he dropped the NRA but didn’t unghost me.
RE “In a great irony, Letitia James was actually fighting to make the NRA stronger by removing the most corrupt aspects of the orgs leadership.”
No so fast John…She was fighting to end the NRA, wipe it off the map. By no means was she ever looking out for the interest of members, etc. As if a self serving ny democRat like her ever gave a flip about the NRA. Great Irony? Try venturing to the outer limits of the word fluke.
Let’s see how it plays out. Her goal could be realized.
I think what he was saying was that James, in her ardent desire to end the NRA, may have allowed it to become even stronger.
“…after years of rampant corruption and self-dealing…”
It’s funny how the Left thinks this is a win for them. POG have been trying to oust WLP for years. James didn’t take out the NRA. WLP & Co. did. Remember their troll army that would show up here to defend him?
Was the NRA the only corrupt org in NY? When will they audit ThriveNYC?
Leticia james has always been “a dirty cop”. Wayne just handed her all the evidence to convict him. With the helping hands of the degenerate NRA board as well.
“Leticia james has always been “a dirty cop”
I certainly would like to hear more about this, what specific information leads you to make this statement?
Fuck off, asshole. No one owes you an explanation. You don’t want to hear more about it, you just want to launch into one of your off-topic tirades. Get lost, bozo.
Is that you Leticia?
What about any “violence interruptor” programs? Heck, what about many of the Covid response companies? The Clinton Foundation? Chelsea’s wedding was supposedly paid for by foundation bucks. In Illinois a lot of them are getting audited and it’s um “interesting” how many people defrauded the state. I’d actually be curious to know about a lot of the anti gun groups, but considering how many of them are basically astro turf funded by billionaires on the left, their finances may not be horrid oddly. It’s funny how being at the will of one or two masters keeps people in line more often.
“We will not hesitate to pursue justice against any individual or organization that violates our laws or our trust, no matter how powerful they are.”
So…. how’s that case against Hochul going?
Those judge appointed monitors will likely make sure the reformed NRA does not engage in any wrongthink that goes against “commonsense” gun control and other rhetoric deemed dangerous by the Dems. This probably won’t be the end of corruption within the NRA, just swapping it out for different corruption. Sadly I see the NRA turning into a even worse pro gun control group under the banner of being pro gun and become an even worse wolf under sheep’s clothing as it will be under the thumbs of NY Dems. WLP is to blame for much of this.
“Wayne LaPierre was found guilty… John Frazier was also found guilty …”
Not really. This was a civil case. They were found ‘liable’.
In Letitia James press release she even says it with “Following the jury determination of liability…”
Guilty refers to being responsible for committing an offense, while liable means being legally responsible for something such as a debt or obligation.
The burden of proof is higher for guilty than for liable. For ‘guilty’ there is a ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’, while liable only requires a preponderance of the evidence.
If there had been enough evidence of a criminal offense for ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ this would have been a criminal trial and it wasn’t.
So this was in effect and expensive cost to tax payers more than $33,000,000.00 expended by the state to basically tell LaPierre ‘ya gotta pay the money back’ just like a civil case against anyone that would, for example, be told by a liability judgement they need to pay back a loan they failed to pay and happens hundreds of times in court around the country every week.
So overall, in effect, this didn’t actually do to the NRA what the anti-gun interests Giffords and Brady say with their claims of ‘defeating the gun lobby’ stuff and besides the NRA was never the ‘gun lobby’. In short, when it comes down to it, Letitia James and the anti-gun interest have been chasing a ‘boogy man’ they created and never really existed.
A very good assessment, Booger. Of course, now all those “not one dime” types out here can start ponying up since WLP has been officially “gone” since Jab 31, 2024.
I can’t speak for the years prior to 2021 but I can attest that NRA has had “every dime” paid out scrutinized and there are no free lunches during those 3 years. I’d be happy to see some $6M come back into NRA coffers in the near future. Have to wait and see.
There is also a strong movement afoot at this time in the BOD to make reforms and try to regain the trust of those members who have left. Perhaps more of this will come to light in Dallas at the AMs. In the mean time, if you are an NRA Voting MEMBER, you’d do well to tear the ballot out, vote, and send it in on time. Vote also on the proposed ByLaw amendment, which provides for an official “Compliance Officer” to be elected. You can read for yourself in the voting instructions.
Thank you Booger for providing a clear explanation of what took place, far too many people use the word “guilty” – incorrectly – when they should use the word “responsible” or an equivalent of that.
And let us ALL remember that Wayne LaPierre, like all leaders of organizations or movements that many people have a dislike for, are targets or the “nuts” in our society. If I were in his position, I’d have armed body guards with me at all times. Lots of our politicians do this, using our taxpayers moneys.
Let uus all also not forget that the right to “keep” and “bear” arms is embodied in the Second Amendment of our U. S. Constitution – second only to “free speech”. Our Founding Fathers knew that we, as a people and nation, had to have the right to keep and bear arms in order to STAY FREE. Look at history and you’ll see that almost every dictator that took control of a nation took the guns away from the people of that nation.
AMC
Now appears that New York Courts are hell bent to steal money from anyone they can. Whether Trump,or the NRA all businesses better wake up before theyre next
F*#K that UUUgly, FFFFat AAAAs, lying la tittie in her biden!
And just for the Never NRAers here, keep an eye on the Vullo case to be heard by SCOTUS in March. One of 3 1st Amendment cases of note this session- it can go a long way against the government’s weaponization of agencies against legitimate and legal businesses and organizations. This is a long time coming and something The Tea Party was never able to do in dealings with Lois Lerner and the IRS, let alone the entire “Russian Collusion” fantasy that went on unabated for 4+ years. It also could have bearing on the rise in challenges to the PLCA by jurisdictions being encouraged to sue gun/ammo/accessory makers by the Biden DOJ.
So, even if you hate NRA, you still have Heller, McDonald, Bruen and likely Vullo to thank them for…
The nastiest individuals in US today are these fat black feminists in politics/the “law”. No husbands, no morals, no God other than the demtards progs and they are at war with the US. Just despicable. Dozens of them in self-serving positions of presumed authority. Lecrietia James, Abrams, Willis, Bush, Waters, Obama etc etc etc.
As God pointed out, ““The friend of my enemy is my enemy.” But the opposite is also true. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Guess James and I will have to continue our love-hate relationship…..But, THANKS, James for this one. FU for the Trump thingy.
Everything that deals with lots of money is corrupt. Many humans are just greedy opportunists. I can’t think of a single salesman who isn’t. If he or she wasn’t a greedy opportunist, they wouldn’t be very successful in their line of work. Lots of money has a way of taking away any remaining integrity one might of had before becoming rich. So when we read about those great “self-made millionaires” we’re reading about people who gave away their integrity and ethics to the highest bidder.
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