FIRST ON NPR: The New York Attorney General took action today to dissolve the National Rifle Association after an 18 mo probe that found evidence the org was “fraught with fraud and abuse.” Full details:
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
NY AG claims in a lawsuit filed Thursday that she found millions in fraud, contributed to a loss of more than $64 million to the NRA over a three year period.
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The suit alleges that top NRA executives misused charitable funds for personal gain, awarded contracts to friends and family members, and provided contracts to former employees to ensure loyalty.
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NY AG has jurisdiction over NRA because it is registered in New York.
James has a wide range of authorities relating to nonprofits in the state, including the authority to force organizations to cease operations or dissolve
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
James has a wide range of authorities relating to nonprofits in the state, including the authority to force organizations to cease operations or dissolve
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
James’ complaint names the NRA as a whole, but also names four current and former NRA execs: EVP Wayne LaPierre, general counsel John Frazer, former CFO Woody Phillips, and former chief of staff Joshua Powell.
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
The lawsuit from NY AG seeks to dissolve the NRA in its entirety and asks the court to order LaPierre and other current and former executives to pay back unlawful profits.
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npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
LaPierre allegations:
a $17 mil post employment contract not approved by NRA board.
$1.2mil expense reimbursements
$500K trips to Bahamas w/family
$3.6mil on travel consultants and black car services
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a $17 mil post employment contract not approved by NRA board.
$1.2mil expense reimbursements
$500K trips to Bahamas w/family
$3.6mil on travel consultants and black car services
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
CFO Woody Phillips allegations:
$1.8mil package of 'consulting' for the new treasurer. New treasurer unaware
Directed more than $1 mil deal to his girlfriend
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
$1.8mil package of 'consulting' for the new treasurer. New treasurer unaware
Directed more than $1 mil deal to his girlfriend
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
Former Chief of Staff Joshua Powell allegations:
Salary jumped from $250K to $800K in ~2 years
NRA hired $5mil consulting firm, which hired his wife and passed $30K monthly fee on
Pressed NRA vendor to hire his father as a photog --$90K
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Salary jumped from $250K to $800K in ~2 years
NRA hired $5mil consulting firm, which hired his wife and passed $30K monthly fee on
Pressed NRA vendor to hire his father as a photog --$90K
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
General Counsel John Frazer allegations:
failed to comply with board governance procedures, failed to ensure the NRA was in compliance with whistleblower laws and repeatedly certified false or misleading annual statements by the NRA.
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
failed to comply with board governance procedures, failed to ensure the NRA was in compliance with whistleblower laws and repeatedly certified false or misleading annual statements by the NRA.
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Even before this move, the NRA was in dire financial straits.
A secret recording of an NRA board meeting obtained by NPR in April showed LaPierre telling the audience that the NRA’s legal troubles have cost the organization $100 million.
npr.org/2020/04/21/839…
A secret recording of an NRA board meeting obtained by NPR in April showed LaPierre telling the audience that the NRA’s legal troubles have cost the organization $100 million.
npr.org/2020/04/21/839…
Lawsuits get launched all the time. You might be asking: is this real?
One of the authorities the NY AG has is to dissolve nonprofits if they commit serious abuses.
But it's sure to be contested in court.
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
One of the authorities the NY AG has is to dissolve nonprofits if they commit serious abuses.
But it's sure to be contested in court.
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
NY AG says that this is about "facts and the law," and it isn't a political move -- her investigation found serious wrongdoing.
She says dissolution is necessary because the "corruption was so broad."
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She says dissolution is necessary because the "corruption was so broad."
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NY AG office cites Trump Foundation dissolution as precedent for seeking dissolution of National Rifle Association
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In a SEPARATE action, the DC attorney general is announcing that it is suing the NRA's foundation today
NY AG does not rule out a criminal referral to the Manhattan district attorney, but stresses they are moving forward w civil enforcement.
npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
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No, I looked into this last year.
The law and the NRA's assets do not allow for the group to just up and change their state of registration.
The law and the NRA's assets do not allow for the group to just up and change their state of registration.
New York AG Letitia James says that the investigation is ongoing, and more misconduct could be found.
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npr.org/2020/08/06/899…
Given all of the NRA developments today, let me say:
Just wait until you read my book. It's coming out next year.
Just wait until you read my book. It's coming out next year.
NRA President Carolyn Meadows tells the New York Times:
.@mikespiesnyc should get a lot of credit today for being the first reporter to break news of the NRA's financial misconduct while the rest of the press corps looked at the NRA as an impenetrable black box
This is his biggest feature:
thetrace.org/features/nra-f…
This is his biggest feature:
thetrace.org/features/nra-f…
@mikespiesnyc President Trump's understanding of charities law is not quite right.
The NRA cannot just move to another state.
The NRA cannot just move to another state.
