A New York judge has ruled that Wayne LaPierre, the former CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), is banned from holding any paid position within the organization for the next ten years. However, the judge declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the NRA’s finances, rejecting the state’s request for increased oversight.
Judge Joel Cohen’s decision came on the final day of arguments in the NRA’s civil trial led by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Cohen expressed concerns that a monitor would be costly, disruptive, and infringe on the NRA’s First Amendment rights. He emphasized that while LaPierre’s ban relates to his role within the organization, the broader request for financial oversight was not warranted.
LaPierre had argued that appointing a monitor would severely damage the NRA by signaling to potential members and donors that the organization was under heavy scrutiny. Despite the ban, the impact on the NRA’s operations remains unclear.
Earlier in the trial, LaPierre was found liable for misusing millions of dollars, including for personal luxuries. Although LaPierre resigned in January, the NRA has faced criticism for not fully addressing these issues.
The NRA’s lawyer claimed the organization has already taken steps to improve its internal controls, making a monitor unnecessary. However, critics argue that LaPierre’s loyalists remain in key positions, and the NRA has lost over 1.3 million members since 2018.
James initially sought to dissolve the NRA but was limited by the judge’s 2022 ruling, which deemed a “corporate death penalty” too severe.
