Wayne LaPierre, former chief executive of the National Rifle Association, waves to someone as he leaves court in New York, Monday, July 29, 2024. A New York judge has refused to appoint an outside monitor to oversee the National Rifle Association’s finances and internal policies. But he said he will bar LaPierre, the group’s former leader, from holding a paid position with the organization for a decade.
Seth Wenig/AP
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Seth Wenig/AP
NEW YORK — A New York judge on Monday banned Wayne LaPierre, the former head of the National Rifle Association, from holding a paid position with the organization for a decade, but declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group.
Justice Joel Cohen’s split decision came on the final day of oral arguments in second phase of a civil trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The first phase of the trial, decided in February by a Manhattan jury, found LaPierre and another deputy liable for wasted millions of dollars on luxury trips and other personal expenses.
In ruling, Cohen said the state’s request for oversight was not the proper remedy, arguing that an oversight mechanism would be “time-consuming, disruptive, and would impose significant costs on the NRA without providing commensurate benefits.”
Cohen also said he was concerned about “government interference in the organization’s work.”
He said First Amendment concerns do not apply to whether LaPierre can return to the organization anytime soon.
“This relief relates to the privilege, not the right, to serve as an officer or director of a New York nonprofit organization,” he said.
