The longtime head of the National Rifle Association is resigning just days before the start of a civil trial in New York that is poised to scrutinize his leadership of the powerful gun rights organization.
NEW YORK — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is stepping down, just days before the start of a civil trial in New York that is poised to scrutinize his leadership of the powerful gun rights organization.
Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure will be effective Jan. 31. He had been in charge of the NRA since 1991. Andrew Arulanandam will be the interim CEO & EVP, according to the organization.
“It is with pride in all that we have accomplished that I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement released by the organization. “I have been a member of this organization for most of my adult life and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedoms. My passion for our cause burns as deep as ever.”
A trial is set to begin Monday in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against the NRA, LaPierre and others who served as the organization's executives. LaPierre is among the witnesses expected to testify.
James, a Democrat, accuses LaPierre and other executives of illegally diverting tens of millions of dollars from the NRA and spending organization funds on personal travel, no-show contracts and other questionable expenses.
James is seeking to ban LaPierre and the other executives from leading any nonprofit or charitable organization doing business in New York, which would effectively remove them from any involvement with the NRA.