"I fly Southwest a lot," @shannonrwatts quips, reacting to Wayne LaPierre's testimony that he travels exclusively by private charter jet for security.
As the NRA trial restarts today, catch up with my podcast for highlights, context and interviews here. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-…
The NRA's ex-CFO and treasurer Craig Spray testimony continues today.
When we left off, Spray testified to a culture of "Wayne says," meaning the NRA ran by LaPierre's fiat and allow subordinates to flout internal policies.
NRA's counsel is now examining him.
The NRA's counsel is trying to undermine testimony that he did not want to sign the group's form 990 for 2019.
Spray concedes that he did not refuse to sign it because Wayne LaPierre did while Spray was researching his concern.
NYAG's assistant Yael Fuchs has the witness, NRA CFO Craig spray, again for redirect.
Testimony turns to an unidentified "Whistleblower 3."
Fuchs asks whether this person conveyed all of her concerns to Mr. Spray.
Spray answers no.
Q: As you testified last week, the day of your departure was 'certainly not the date you would have chosen'?
A: Correct.
Spray agrees that his departure was not voluntary and he did not have the opportunity to train a successor.
Q: Do you believe that the Brewer firm had access to the NRA's financials.
Spray answers yes.
Q: Do you believe that they had real-time access?
A: I don't know.
Spray repeatedly questions whether the NRA could survive without the fundraising dollars that Wayne LaPierre draws.
Ackerman McQueen's lawyer Mike Gruber questions Spray colorfully about his testimony that the NRA may not be able to survive with Wayne LaPierre.
Q: Do you recall what Charles DeGaulle said about indispensable men?
"The cemeteries are full of them," Gruber answers his own q-.
NRA's counsel objects.
Gruber replies that it's leading to his greater point that the scope of history provides the lesson that nobody is indispensable.
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Testifying now in the NRA bankruptcy case is the group's board member, Wichita Judge Phil Journey.
The trial has resumed after the lunch recess.
When asked before the break whether he described Wayne LaPierre's filing of the bankruptcy filing as a fraud upon the court, Judge Journey answered: "Yes."
Gruber is now rolling tape from LaPierre's March 23rd deposition, where he cited the NYAG's action to dissolve the NRA or put it into receivership as the reason to file for bankruptcy.
NRA's general counsel John Frazer previously testified that he did not know that he did not know Wayne LaPierre's contract allowed him to file Chapter 11, Gruber notes.
Gruber asks LaPierre about that.
LaPierre: "I don't know what Mr. Frazer understood at that point."
Wayne LaPierre has now taken the stand in the NRA bankruptcy trial. Here is our preview story on his testimony, which will be updated throughout the day.
James Sheehan, the @NewYorkStateAG's charities chief, is currently grilling him.
Q: Is it true you send no emails?
A: That's correct.
Q: Is it true that you send no texts?
A: That's correct.
Sheehan asks LaPierre about whether he filed the bankruptcy petition to dodge the NYAG suit.
"We filed this bankruptcy to look for a fair legal playing field where the the NRA can prosper and grow," LaPierre claims, calling the New York atmosphere toxic and weaponized.
In the clip at the top of the thread, Ms. Albert was talking about the legacy of the SCOTUS ruling in Shelby County. She talked about what's at stake in the Brnovich case heard earlier this month here.