New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on June 3 that the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court has upheld a $4.3 million judgment against former National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. The court rejected LaPierre’s attempt to overturn the judgment, which also bars him from serving as an officer or director of the NRA for ten years.
“Wayne LaPierre and other senior NRA leaders broke the law by funneling millions of dollars in lavish perks to themselves and their families,” said Attorney General James. “After we successfully proved our case to a jury, LaPierre was ordered to pay $4.3 million and was barred from serving as an NRA officer or director for a decade. This decision upholds the jury’s verdict and is another victory in our efforts to ensure that LaPierre is held accountable for his illegal self-dealing.”
Attorney General James filed suit against the NRA and its current and former senior officers in August 2020, alleging mismanagement of funds resulting in tens of millions of dollars in losses for the organization. On the eve of trial in January 2024, LaPierre retired from his role after more than thirty years with the group. In February 2024, a jury found that LaPierre, Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, former General Counsel John Frazer, and others violated state laws related to charitable fund administration and regulatory filings.
The December 2024 bench trial resulted in orders requiring significant governance reforms at the NRA, with monetary penalties imposed on both LaPierre and Phillips—$4.35 million plus interest for LaPierre; $2 million plus interest for Phillips—and barring them from holding leadership roles within organizations under direct control by the NRA for ten years.
The New York Attorney General operates as a public law enforcement agency providing services such as consumer fraud investigations, charities oversight, tenant dispute mediation, civil rights enforcement, regional legal support across New York State, social justice advocacy, and environmental protection, according to its official website. Letitia James heads this office.
