Former National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO Wayne LaPierre was accused of embezzling millions of NRA public funds for personal luxury spending. A New York State Civil Court jury found him guilty on the 23rd and must repay nearly 4.4 million yuan. Wilson Phillips, the retired treasurer of the National Rifle Association who was also involved in the case , must also repay $2 million.
Jurors also said the NRA deliberately omitted or misrepresented information in its tax filings.
Sitting in the front row of the courtroom after the ruling, the 74-year-old Lapierre looked emotionless. Three days before the case was to go to trial, he announced on February 5 that he would resign at the end of the month.
Since 1991, he has long presided over the daily operations of the National Rifle Association and is the radical spokesperson of this conservative group. He once warned the public that “government gangsters in military boots” would come to people’s homes and confiscate guns; after every school shooting, They all strongly advocate sending armed security personnel to “protect” campuses and fiercely criticize those who advocate tighter gun control.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who filed the lawsuit , is a Democrat After the jury delivered its verdict, it was claimed to be a “major victory”.
She said in a post on social media
The ruling is the latest major blow for the NRA, which has been plagued by financial problems and declining membership in recent years.
In addition to Lapierre, Phillips and others, John Frazer, the general counsel of the National Rifle Association, is also a defendant in this case and is accused of malfeasance in office. The National Rifle Association and its former chairman, Oliver North, were charged with violating New York state whistleblower protection laws.
Another former NRA executive, Joshua Powell, reached a settlement with the state government, agreeing to testify as a tainted witness, pay $100,000 in compensation, and no longer participate in any non-profit organizations.
Before the trial, Lapier’s lawyer accused James of political persecution. However, Phillip Journey, a former director of the National Rifle Association, alleged that corruption has long existed within the association and believed that Lexia James had sufficient evidence to justify the prosecution.
