A New York judge on Monday banned former National Rifle Association president Wayne LaPierre from holding any paid position at a gun rights group for the next 10 years, while also refusing to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the group.
The ruling came as the second phase of a civil trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), which sought to fire LaPierre from his position on tax evasion charges.
Judge Joel Cohen said in court on Monday that the state oversight request was not a solution, saying it would be “time-consuming, disruptive and would impose significant costs on the NRA without commensurate benefits,” the Associated Press reported.
The allegations come months after a Manhattan jury found that LaPierre and other leaders of gun rights groups diverted millions of dollars to lavish personal travel and other questionable expenses.
LaPierre, who resigned from the NRA in early January, was ordered to pay $4.3 million in damages after a jury found he had caused the NRA $5.4 million in damages but had already paid back more than $1 million.
In a February ruling, the organization’s former financial director, Wilson Phillips, who now departs, was ordered to pay $2 million to the organization.
Cohen said Monday he was concerned about “government interference in the activities of organizations that threaten to control speech,” but said the same First Amendment concerns did not apply to whether LaPierre could return to the gun rights group anytime soon, according to the Associated Press.
“This relief concerns the privilege, not the right, of serving as an officer or director of a New York nonprofit organization,” he told the news agency.
The NRS has struggled with declining membership and financial concerns, including a bankruptcy attempt in 2021.
According to the Associated Press, LaPierre told Cohen in court on Monday that appointing a monitor to oversee the group’s finances would be “like sticking a knife in the heart of the organization and twisting it.”
The NRA welcomed Cohen’s decision not to appoint a monitor, saying it was “positioned for a bright future.” In a statement Following the verdict.
The NRA said it would follow Cohen’s recommendation that the group and the New York attorney general’s office agree to further governance reforms and would propose additional changes.
According to the Associated Press, NRA lawyer Sarah Rogers said in court that the group had already put in place new management since the jury’s verdict in February, including hiring new officers and creating a new compliance team.
Cohen argued that the NRA’s reforms since the February ruling have been “clearly mixed” and that the organization’s leadership has demonstrated a “stunning lack of accountability” for mismanagement.
“We recognize the importance of the jury’s decision and remain committed to good governance,” NRA Chairman Bob Barr said, adding, “We commend the organization’s millions of loyal members who have never lost faith in the organization and its commitment to protecting freedom.”
The Hill has reached out to the New York State Attorney General’s Office for further comment.
Prior to his retirement, LaPierre served as the group’s CEO and executive vice president for more than 30 years.
LaPierre denies any wrongdoing but acknowledged during his trial that he used company funds for personal travel and gifts.
The Associated Press contributed.
