USA US gun lobbyist gets ten-year ban
The well-known US gun lobbyist Wayne LaPierre has been banned from holding a paid position at the National Rifle Association (NRA) for ten years for misappropriating funds.
30.07.2024, 15:33
SDA
This was decided by a judge in New York on Monday, according to media reports. However, the court rejected a request by the public prosecutor's office to appoint an external observer for the NRA in order to tighten controls on the organization, which is on trial for corruption and mismanagement.
The powerful NRA has non-profit status in the USA and is therefore subject to special requirements regarding the use of donations, charity and accounting. It is regarded as an extremely conservative organization with very strong political influence.
The 74-year-old LaPierre has headed the NRA since 1991, but announced shortly before the start of the trial in New York in January that he would be stepping down for health reasons.
Association money for vacations, luxury flights and yacht trips
Back in February, a jury in the US East Coast metropolis found LaPierre and other NRA executives guilty of financial misconduct and corruption. They came to the conclusion that the former chairman had used association funds for vacations, luxury flights for his relatives and yacht trips.
The jury found that LaPierre had squandered around 5.4 million dollars from the NRA. He has reportedly already repaid some of the money.
The jury also found that the group's former treasurer and the head of the legal department had not fulfilled their duties to the non-profit organization. The NRA itself was also charged and convicted of ignoring whistleblower complaints and submitting false documents to the state.
