A New York federal court handed down a massive blow to the long-term stability of the National Rifle Association (NRA) on Monday.
According to a NBC News report, a New York judge issued a ruling temporarily blocking Wayne LaPierre, the long-serving former CEO and executive vice president of the NRA, from resuming his role as the head of the NRA.
The ruling placed a ten-year ban on his leadership within the organization, according to the NBC News report.
The decision came as part of the outcomes from a civil corruption trial that found LaPierre and other executives liable for financial mismanagement within the NRA.
A New York judge temporarily banned Wayne LaPierre from returning to lead the National Rifle Association but said he would not appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group. https://t.co/wA0LBosnIV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 29, 2024
Despite the ruling, NY State Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the NRA’s financial operations, something New York Attorney General Letitia James advocated for following the jury’s findings, NBC News reported.
The trial highlighted the behind-the-scenes financial misdeeds of the NRA, including millions of dollars diverted by LaPierre for personal use, leading to a lack of accountability within the organization.
“The damages portion of the case we presented, as well as the earlier trial before the jury, demonstrated that the NRA had a stunning lack of accountability and its leaders engaged in illegality and self-dealing,” James said in a statement, the outlet stated. “After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leaders are finally being held accountable.”
James pushed for a permanent ban on LaPierre leading the NRA or its affiliates, but Cohen opted for a decade-long restriction, NBC News reported.
LaPierre, who led the NRA for over 30 years, stepped down from his position in January of this year, citing health issues. The jury in the trial concluded LaPierre failed to act in good faith in discharging his duties, a decision that coincided with findings of monetary harm caused to the NRA, part of which LaPierre has since repaid.
The ramifications of the trial extend beyond LaPierre. Wilson “Woody” Phillips, the NRA’s former treasurer and CFO, and John Frazer, the group’s corporate secretary and former general counsel, were also implicated, according to NBC News. While Phillips is banned from holding fiduciary positions in any New York nonprofit for the next decade and must pay $2 million in damages, Frazer faced no monetary penalties and was allowed to continue in his role without restrictions.