IINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 26: The former president gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he stands on stage along with NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre (R), and Executive Director NRA-ILA Chris Cox (L) at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum at the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on April 26, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The convention, which runs through Sunday, features more than 800 exhibitors and is expected to draw 80,000 guests. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, jurors in the National Rifle Association fraud trial in Manhattan heard testimony about a secret $1 million-per-year contract that was paid to NRA President Oliver North in 2018. The contract was not disclosed to the board of directors.
Previous NRA presidents had been unpaid, so the contract raised eyebrows internally.
North butted heads with NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, and North resigned abruptly in April 2019, alleging that there were financial improprieties at the nonprofit group.
During a board meeting in Irving, Texas, LaPierre announced his departure from the gun rights group a few weeks ago.
The 74-year-old cited health reasons for his decision.
LaPierre is a co-defendant along with the NRA in a case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James after accusing the organization of corruption. James is seeking to disband the group and make it pay financial penalties.
James claims that LaPierre has used millions of dollars from the NRA for his personal use, including on multiple trips to the Bahamas, private jets and expensive meals.
LaPierre repaid the NRA almost $1 million after James’ allegations.
James also has cases against Wilson Phillips, Joshua Power and John Frazier, all NRA executives.
Since 1991, LaPierre has served as a leader in the NRA. He has publicly shared his thoughts on gun laws, publicly taking a stance against strict gun laws for the majority of his career.
LaPierre even sparked controversy in 2012 after responding to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting by saying, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”
His resignation will be effective January 31.
Andrew Arulanandam will replace him as interim CEO and executive vice president. Arulanandam currently works as the NRA’s head of general operations.
LaPierre resigned after the company saw a drop in revenue and membership. The NRA’s revenue fell 44% since 2016, and membership dropped to 4.3 million last year, the lowest since 2012.
The NRA also increased its legal expenses, including $40 million on legal counsel in the first eight months of 2023.
LaPierre has said that he will continue to support the organization and “its fight to defend Second Amendment Freedom.”
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