In Court, N.R.A. Questions Its Longtime Chief About His Luxury Spending
Wayne LaPierre, the longtime chief of the National Rifle Association, faced intense questioning in court about his extravagant spending as the head of the organization.
Mr. LaPierre's Questioning
Wayne LaPierre, the former chief of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.), faced another day of intense questioning about his lavish spending in court. This time, however, the questions came from lawyers hired by the N.R.A. itself. LaPierre admitted that much of his spending had not been authorized by the organization's board and violated its policies, leading to criticism from his former colleagues who claimed he was an inept and corrupt manager.
The intense questioning was part of a strategy to demonstrate that LaPierre and the N.R.A. have reformed their governance and don't require regulatory intervention. Despite this, LaPierre and the N.R.A. continue to face scrutiny over their financial practices, with the New York attorney general, Letitia James, leading the charge.
LaPierre's Excessive Spending
The state of New York has presented evidence of Wayne LaPierre's extravagant spending, including thousands of dollars on suits from a Beverly Hills boutique, luxury trips on a yacht, and excessive spending on charter flights. The N.R.A. was also revealed to have paid for expensive hair and makeup sessions for LaPierre's wife, among other questionable expenses.
Under questioning, LaPierre admitted that much of his spending was improper and went against the organization's policies. He acknowledged that he had no approval for certain expenses, such as the hairstyling for his wife and the use of hired cars and private planes by his family and friends.
Reform and Financial Challenges
Facing mounting criticism and legal challenges, Wayne LaPierre announced his resignation as the N.R.A. chief ahead of the civil trial brought by the New York attorney general. The N.R.A. itself and key figures within the organization, including its general counsel and former finance chief, are also defendants in the lawsuit.
While LaPierre claimed to have made financial amends and implemented governance changes, the attorney general's office argued that these actions were too little, too late. The state of New York, which has jurisdiction over the N.R.A., is seeking financial penalties and employment bans for the defendants within the nonprofit sector operating in New York.
