The shock resignation of the head of the National Rifle Association (NRA) on Friday was not prompted by a settlement ahead of his corruption trial next week, prosecutors have confirmed.
Wayne LaPierre, 74, said he is stepping down after more than 30 years for “health reasons.”
LaPierre's corruption trial has already begun with jury selection: opening statements will be heard next week.
But New York Attorney General Letitia James said no plea deal has been reached with LaPierre and the corruption trial will proceed as planned.
LaPierre and two other defendants are accused of violating nonprofit laws and using millions of NRA dollars to pay for their extravagant lifestyles.
James is seeking to exclude LaPierre from leadership roles and plans to push for financial sanctions against him and two other defendants.
A fourth defendant, Joshua Powell, LaPierre's former top deputy, reached a settlement with the attorney general's office Friday evening. He agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and a permanent ban from serving as an officer at nonprofits operating in New York.
LaPierre's interim successor will be his spokesman, Andrew Arulanandam, director and chief general operations officer of the NRA.
NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre (left) announced his resignation on Friday – just days before his corruption trial was set to begin in New York. Andrew Arulanandam (right), its spokesperson, will take over as interim CEO
The NRA chief cited health reasons for his resignation, which was accepted at a board meeting in Irving, Texas
LaPierre, pictured at a 2022 NRA meeting with Donald Trump, is accused of siphoning off millions of dollars to pay for his lavish lifestyle
LaPierre, who made the surprise announcement during a board meeting in Irving, Texas, will officially step down on January 31.
“It is with pride for all we have accomplished that I announce my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a press release.
“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.”
NRA President Charles Cotton thanked LaPierre for his service.
“On behalf of the NRA Board of Directors, I thank Wayne LaPierre for his service. Wayne has done as much to protect Second Amendment freedoms as anyone,” Cotton said.
“Wayne is a towering figure in the fight for constitutional freedom, but one of his other talents is just as important: he built an organization bigger than himself.
“Under Andrew Arulanandam's leadership, the NRA will continue to thrive – with a renewed energy in our operations and grassroots advocacy. Our future is bright and secure.”
The NRA has been in inner turmoil for years.
Before her election, James vowed to take on the NRA, which she called a “terrorist organization.”
She filed a lawsuit in 2020 accusing NRA heads of violating state and federal laws and lining their pockets with millions of dollars.
LaPierre was re-elected to office in 2021 despite the ongoing civil case alleging he siphoned off millions to pay for travel and other lavish items.
The NRA Board of Directors re-elected Wayne LaPierre as the group's CEO in 2021, despite multiple controversies the organization faced under his leadership
The NRA continues to face a corruption case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (pictured), alleging that its leadership diverted millions to fund a lavish lifestyle
In May 2021, the group made an unsuccessful bid to file for bankruptcy to move the organization from New York to Texas, which LaPierre admitted was to avoid the lawsuit.
But federal Judge Harlin Hale denied the case, claiming it was filed in bad faith, calling LaPierre's behavior “nothing short of shocking.”
The gun rights group tried unsuccessfully to stop the attack The corruption investigation cannot proceed by arguing that James, a Democrat, is politically motivated and violated the First Amendment because he tried to silence the speech because she hated what it stood for.
But the appeal was rejected unanimously.
The NRA said it was “known” that James had pledged to pursue the organization.
In March 2022, the group scored a major legal victory when a New York court rejected James' claims to dissolve the organization.
Regarding the NYAG's allegations, the NRA Board of Directors reports that it has made significant efforts to conduct a self-assessment, terminate disgraced “insiders” and salespeople who allegedly abused the Association, recommended and accepted reimbursement, with interest, for LaPierre's alleged excessive benefit transactions as reported in public tax returns,” according to an NRA statement.
LaPierre, pictured with wife Susan, claims James' lawsuit is politically motivated after she vowed to go after the NRA ahead of her appointment as attorney general
LaPierre is pictured with his wife Susan in 2012; the late Larry King and his wife Shawn
LaPierre added in his Friday statement: “I am proud of the NRA's advocacy in New York and, through it all, its determination to defend the Second Amendment. I can assure you that the NRA's mission, programming and fight for freedom have never been more secure.
“What sets the NRA apart from any other advocacy organization is the depth and experience of its professional team, the unwavering support of its members and its fighting spirit.”
“I have tremendous confidence in our board of directors, the executive leadership team and my long-time colleague Andrew Arulanandam.
'Andrew knows every facet of this organization and has stood shoulder to shoulder with me in every conceivable area. Andrew knows how to help the NRA win – he has been one of the key authors of our playbook for decades.”