NRA back in court for phase 2 of civil corruption trial

[RAY BOGAN]

The National Rifle Association and its top executives are back in court for phase two of the civil corruption trial brought forward by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge will decide whether to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group. 

During phase one, a jury found that three top executives misspent millions of dollars of the organization’s money on lavish personal expenses, including trips to exotic locations and private jet rides. 

The jurors also determined that the organization omitted or misrepresented information in its tax filings and broke New York state whistleblower protection law. 

Former CEO Wayne LaPierre was ordered to pay $4.4 million back to the NRA while the retired CFO Wilson Phillips was ordered to pay $2 million. 

During phase two, the judge will also decide whether LaPierre should face additional punishments, beyond the monetary payments. 

William Brewer, an attorney for the NRA, told the AP, “The focal point for ‘phase two’ is the NYAG’s burden to show that any violation of any law is ‘continuing’ and persistent at the NRA. This is a burden the NYAG cannot meet.”

Brewer said the NRA has since made a “course correction” to ensure it complies with all laws. He called a court-appointed monitor unwarranted. 

This bench trial is expected to last about two weeks. Current President Bob Barr and CEO Douglas Hamlin are expected to testify. 

Attorney General James filed this lawsuit in 2020 and initially sought to have the organization dissolved but the judge declined. 

LaPierre took over as head of the NRA in 1991. During phase one of the trial he admitted to inappropriately expensing private jet flights for his family and accepting vacations to the Bahamas, Greece and Dubai from vendors doing business with the NRA.