Wayne LaPierre announced Friday he is resigning as the leader of the National Rifle Association, ending his decades long reign just days before the start of his civil trial in New York.
In a statement announcing his departure, LaPierre said he would “never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom.”
“My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever,” LaPierre said in a statement.
LaPierre has led the NRA for more than 30 years and cited health reasons for his exit.
The news comes just day before his civil trial is set to begin after New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2020 that alleges he violated nonprofit laws and misused millions of dollars of NRA funds to finance lavish trips.
“LaPierre’s resignation validates our claims against him, but it will not insulate him from accountability,” James said in a statement. “We look forward to presenting our case in court.”
The lawsuits alleges LaPierre used money donated to the NRA on private jets, expensive meals, travel consultants, private security, and trips to the Bahamas for him and his family.
James claims LaPierre used $500,000 of the NRA’s assets to fly himself and his family members to the Bahamas. LaPierre received more than $1.2 million in expense reimbursements from 2013 to 2017, the lawsuit alleges.
State Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen will decide monetary damages and remedies. The civil trial in Manhattan is expected to begin Monday and will last six weeks.
