A New York judge has ruled that Wayne LaPierre, the former head of the National Rifle Association (NRA), is banned from holding a paid position with the organization for a decade. The decision came on the final day of arguments in the civil trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Judge Joel Cohen declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the NRA's finances, stating that it would be time-consuming, disruptive, and costly without significant benefits. He expressed concerns about potential government intrusion on the organization's affairs.
The trial followed allegations of misspending millions of dollars on personal expenses by LaPierre and another deputy. The jury found them liable earlier this year, ordering LaPierre to repay almost $4.4 million to the organization.
While the judge's ruling prohibits LaPierre from serving with the NRA for a decade, the organization has stated that they have no plans to rehire him. The NRA's attorney emphasized the implementation of strong internal controls, deeming the appointment of a monitor unnecessary.
LaPierre, who served as the NRA's CEO and executive vice president for over 30 years, resigned in January amid the legal proceedings. The trial shed light on the organization's leadership, culture, and financing, with allegations of funds being used for lavish personal expenses.
Despite the ongoing legal battles and leadership changes within the NRA, the organization has seen a decline in membership, losing over 1.3 million members since 2018. The attorney general initially sought to dissolve the entire organization, but the judge ruled against a corporate death penalty.
While the 10-year ban on LaPierre's involvement with the NRA raises questions about the organization's future leadership, the NRA remains adamant about its commitment to transparency and internal reforms.
