New York sues to break up National Rifle Association, alleging misuse of millions of dollars
- NRA leaders used funds to pay for Bahamas trips, private planes and expensive meals, and to buy silence and loyalty of ex-employees, according to lawsuit
- Mismanagement shaved US$64 million worth of assets off gun organisation’s balance sheet in three years, state attorney general says
New York state’s attorney general sued to dissolve the National Rifle Association on Thursday, alleging senior leaders of the non-profit group diverted millions of dollars for personal use and to buy the silence and loyalty of former employees.
The lawsuit filed in a Manhattan court by Attorney General Letitia James alleges NRA leaders paid for family trips to the Bahamas, private planes and expensive meals that contributed to a US$64 million reduction in the NRA’s balance sheet in three years, turning a surplus into a deficit.
James alleged in a statement that NRA leaders “used millions upon millions from NRA reserves for personal use,” failing to comply with the NRA’s own internal policies in addition to state and federal law.
The mismanagement shaved US$64 million worth of assets off the NRA’s balance sheet in three years, the suit says.
In announcing the lawsuit, James told reporters the NRA “has operated as a breeding ground for greed, abuse and brazen illegality”. She added, “no one is above the law”.