Wayne LaPierre resigns from the NRA and the lawsuit is about to begin
On the eve of a legal battle in New York, Wayne LaPierre told board members Friday that he would step down as former head of the National Rifle Association.
Mr. LaPierre, 74, has led the organization for more than three decades. But his resignation came as he faced his biggest challenge yet: a corruption trial in Manhattan amid a legal showdown with New York Attorney General Letitia James. Jury selection has already begun and opening arguments were scheduled for early next week.
The announcement, which takes effect Jan. 31, is not part of a deal with the attorney general’s office. Andrew Arulanandam, Mr. LaPierre’s longtime spokesman, will become the interim chief executive. Development was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
“With pride in all we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” Mr. LaPierre said in a statement. “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.”
The announcement took place during a board meeting in Irving, Texas. The NRA said Mr. LaPierre had cited “health reasons” as the reason for his decision.
The development will change the shape of the trial in Manhattan as Ms. James sought to oust Mr. LaPierre from office. She also seeks financial sanctions against Mr. LaPierre and three other defendants.
Mr. LaPierre played a leading role in transforming gun culture in America, but the last half-decade of his tenure at the NRA was marred by scandals and internal unrest.
Ms James began an investigation into the organization four years ago, amid reports of runaway spending practices. Since then it has gone into a downward spiral.
Membership has plummeted almost six million five years ago to 4.2 million today. Sales have fallen by 44 percent since 2016 internal auditsand legal costs have risen to tens of millions per year.
Still, the gun rights movement has become a stronghold of conservative politics during Mr. LaPierre’s years leading the NRA. Early in his term, a temporary ban on assault weapons was signed into law; Today, such measures are a nonstarter for Republicans, despite an increase in mass shootings.
Mr. LaPierre’s testimony at trial will likely focus heavily on his spending practices. He was a regular at a Zegna boutique in Beverly Hills for more than a decade, where in May 2004 he spent nearly $40,000 on a single outing, which he billed through an NRA contractor.
He also spent more than $250,000 on trips to places including Palm Beach, Fla., Reno, Nev., the Bahamas and Italy’s Lake Como. He has argued that these were legitimate business expenses.
This is a developing story and will be updated.