A New York State judge has decided not to impose external oversight on the National Rifle Association (NRA), marking a victory for the gun rights organization. At the same time, the judge has barred former CEO Wayne LaPierre from holding any NRA office or directorship for 10 years.
Judge Joel Cohen of the Manhattan Supreme Court made this decision on Monday, yielding a mixed result for state Attorney General Letitia James, whose civil case has been ongoing for four years.
In the second phase of the trial, Cohen ruled without a jury.
In the first phase, a jury in February this year found that LaPierre and others had engaged in financial mismanagement over the years, including funding LaPierre's lavish lifestyle with luxury travel and expensive clothing.
The jury ordered LaPierre to repay $4.35 million to the NRA, while retired financial executive Wilson Phillips was required to repay $2 million.
James stated that the judge instructed both parties to negotiate governance changes that could lead to a smaller board size and make it easier for candidates to run for board seats.
In August 2020, James sued the NRA under her authority to regulate nonprofit organizations registered in New York.
She claimed the organization was plagued by greed, lax oversight, and cronyism aimed at benefiting insiders and consolidating power.
"After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leadership are finally being held accountable," James said after Cohen's decision.
