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New York's Case Against the NRA Is About Advancing an Anti-Gunner Agenda, Not Accountability
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Scott Hedrick
Jan 27, 2024, 2:45:02 AM1/27/24
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Wayne LaPierre, the former head of the National Rifle Association
(NRA) took the stand on Friday in a financial misconduct trial that
not only places his leadership under scrutiny, but could very well
determine the future of the gun rights advocacy group.
The trial is the result of a civil suit filed by New York Attorney
General Letitia James alleging widespread financial wrongdoing on
the part of LaPierre, other members of the organization’s
leadership, and the NRA itself. While the attorney general insists
that this effort is intended to hold LaPierre and the NRA
accountable, other details suggest a motive that is more political
in nature.
Wayne LaPierre, the National Rifle Association’s longtime leader,
confirmed under oath in a New York City courtroom Friday that he
used the organization’s financial resources on chartered private
jets, family trips, black car services and high-end gifts for
friends.
LaPierre, 74, other NRA leaders and the organization itself are
fending off a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia
James in 2020 that alleges they violated nonprofit laws and
redirected millions of dollars of NRA funds for personal use.
He took the stand Friday morning for the first time, answering most
questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Citing health issues, he has
previously said that he intends to resign at the end of the month
from the gun rights group, which he has led for more than 30 years
as its executive vice president.
LaPierre testified that he had no knowledge of the large sums the
NRA was spending on chartered private planes and black car services,
though he did not dispute the dollar figures when presented with
invoices and receipts.
He confirmed under oath that NRA funds were used to bankroll a
flight from the Bahamas to Washington, D.C., in 2017 that cost more
than $22,000, for example. He conceded that NRA rules mandate that
employees fly coach.
LaPierre and his wife are also believed to have received gifts from
a contractor.
Another N.R.A. contractor, Ackerman McQueen, bought Mr. LaPierre’s
wife, Susan, a MacBook Pro, an iPad Pro and an iPod, evidence
showed. Mr. LaPierre also billed the organization for a number of
pricey gifts, including a $1,260 handbag and $860 in candlesticks
for the McKenzies. He charged more than $250,000 to a clothing
boutique in Beverly Hills, Calif., over several years, and even
billed the N.R.A. $800 a year for mosquito treatment in his
backyard.
However, New York’s district attorney’s office isn’t merely seeking
to punish LaPierre and others involved in the alleged misconduct. In
2020, James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the NRA, alleging
that the organization diverted millions from its operations to fund
personal endeavors.
If the district attorney simply wished to hold people accountable
for mismanaging funds, she could have simply pursued that angle. But
the fact that she seeks to use this matter to shut down the NRA is
telling – she is not exactly a proponent of gun rights. In December
2023, James’ office released a statement lauding a court ruling
keeping the state’s restrictive concealed carry requirements in
place.
Today’s decision allows a majority of New York’s concealed carry
requirements to stay in effect pending decisions in the lower
courts. The concealed carry permit requirements upheld in today’s
decision include the requirement to demonstrate good moral character
and to disclose household and family members on a permit
application. In addition, the decision upholds the ban on concealed
carry in all sensitive places with the exception of places of
worship. The decision also allows all private property owners,
including owners of places of worship, to prohibit firearms on their
property, including through the postage of signs. The requirements
for an in-person interview, character references, and 16 hours of
training are also still in effect.
This appears to be yet another way to push an anti-gun agenda by
targeting the most well-known gun rights advocacy group in the
country. If the effort succeeds, James could add taking down the NRA
onto her resume as she seeks higher office. For someone like her,
the opportunity is just too good to pass up.
https://redstate.com/jeffc/2024/01/26/new-yorks-case-against-the-
nra-is-about-advancing-an-anti-gunner-agenda-not-accountability-
n2169271
(NRA) took the stand on Friday in a financial misconduct trial that
not only places his leadership under scrutiny, but could very well
determine the future of the gun rights advocacy group.
The trial is the result of a civil suit filed by New York Attorney
General Letitia James alleging widespread financial wrongdoing on
the part of LaPierre, other members of the organization’s
leadership, and the NRA itself. While the attorney general insists
that this effort is intended to hold LaPierre and the NRA
accountable, other details suggest a motive that is more political
in nature.
Wayne LaPierre, the National Rifle Association’s longtime leader,
confirmed under oath in a New York City courtroom Friday that he
used the organization’s financial resources on chartered private
jets, family trips, black car services and high-end gifts for
friends.
LaPierre, 74, other NRA leaders and the organization itself are
fending off a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia
James in 2020 that alleges they violated nonprofit laws and
redirected millions of dollars of NRA funds for personal use.
He took the stand Friday morning for the first time, answering most
questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Citing health issues, he has
previously said that he intends to resign at the end of the month
from the gun rights group, which he has led for more than 30 years
as its executive vice president.
LaPierre testified that he had no knowledge of the large sums the
NRA was spending on chartered private planes and black car services,
though he did not dispute the dollar figures when presented with
invoices and receipts.
He confirmed under oath that NRA funds were used to bankroll a
flight from the Bahamas to Washington, D.C., in 2017 that cost more
than $22,000, for example. He conceded that NRA rules mandate that
employees fly coach.
LaPierre and his wife are also believed to have received gifts from
a contractor.
Another N.R.A. contractor, Ackerman McQueen, bought Mr. LaPierre’s
wife, Susan, a MacBook Pro, an iPad Pro and an iPod, evidence
showed. Mr. LaPierre also billed the organization for a number of
pricey gifts, including a $1,260 handbag and $860 in candlesticks
for the McKenzies. He charged more than $250,000 to a clothing
boutique in Beverly Hills, Calif., over several years, and even
billed the N.R.A. $800 a year for mosquito treatment in his
backyard.
However, New York’s district attorney’s office isn’t merely seeking
to punish LaPierre and others involved in the alleged misconduct. In
2020, James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the NRA, alleging
that the organization diverted millions from its operations to fund
personal endeavors.
If the district attorney simply wished to hold people accountable
for mismanaging funds, she could have simply pursued that angle. But
the fact that she seeks to use this matter to shut down the NRA is
telling – she is not exactly a proponent of gun rights. In December
2023, James’ office released a statement lauding a court ruling
keeping the state’s restrictive concealed carry requirements in
place.
Today’s decision allows a majority of New York’s concealed carry
requirements to stay in effect pending decisions in the lower
courts. The concealed carry permit requirements upheld in today’s
decision include the requirement to demonstrate good moral character
and to disclose household and family members on a permit
application. In addition, the decision upholds the ban on concealed
carry in all sensitive places with the exception of places of
worship. The decision also allows all private property owners,
including owners of places of worship, to prohibit firearms on their
property, including through the postage of signs. The requirements
for an in-person interview, character references, and 16 hours of
training are also still in effect.
This appears to be yet another way to push an anti-gun agenda by
targeting the most well-known gun rights advocacy group in the
country. If the effort succeeds, James could add taking down the NRA
onto her resume as she seeks higher office. For someone like her,
the opportunity is just too good to pass up.
https://redstate.com/jeffc/2024/01/26/new-yorks-case-against-the-
nra-is-about-advancing-an-anti-gunner-agenda-not-accountability-
n2169271
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