A New York federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Wayne LaPierre from returning to his duties as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), NBC News reported.
A New York judge has banned LaPierre, the longtime former CEO and vice chairman of the NRA, from any leadership role in the organization for 10 years. according to The decision was made as part of the outcome of a civil corruption trial that found LaPierre and other executives responsible for financial mismanagement within the NRA, according to NBC News.
A New York judge has temporarily barred Wayne LaPierre from returning to his position as head of the National Rifle Association but said he will not appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group. https://t.co/wA0LBosnIV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 29, 2024
But state Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen blocked New York Attorney General Letitia James’ push to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the NRA’s financial operations following the jury’s decision, NBC News reported, which uncovered widespread financial misconduct, including millions of dollars misappropriated by LaPierre for personal use, leading to a lack of accountability within the organization. (Related: New York jury finds NRA officials liable in Letitia James lawsuit)
“The damages portion of the lawsuit we filed, and the previous trial before a jury, have demonstrated that the NRA has a staggering lack of accountability and that its leaders have engaged in illegal activity and self-interest,” James said in a statement, according to the outlet. “After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leaders are finally being held accountable.”
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 21: Former National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO Wayne LaPierre arrives at New York State Supreme Court on February 21, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Cohen opted for the 10-year restriction, despite the attorney general’s request to permanently bar LaPierre from leading the NRA or any of its affiliates, NBC News reported. LaPierre, who led the NRA for more than 30 years, is already due to step down from his position in January 2024, citing health issues. The jury in the trial concluded that LaPierre did not perform his duties in good faith, but the decision was consistent with a finding that he caused financial damages to the NRA, some of which he has since repaid.
The fallout from the lawsuit extends beyond LaPierre: Wilson “Woody” Phillips, the NRA’s former treasurer and chief financial officer, and John Fraser, the group’s executive director and former general counsel, are also implicated, according to NBC News. Phillips has been barred from holding any trustee position at a New York nonprofit for the next 10 years and must pay $2 million in damages, while Fraser faces no financial penalties and is allowed to continue in his role without restriction.
