The second phase of the civil lawsuit against National Rifle Association and its leaders The trial is set to begin Monday in Manhattan, with New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking an independent monitor to oversee the powerful gun rights group.
The Democrat also seeks to ban Wayne LaPierrethe organization’s former CEO, to serve in leadership positions or raise funds on behalf of charitable organizations operating in New York.
Judge Joel Cohen will also decide whether former legal counsel John Frazer should be barred from state charities.
In the first phase of the trial earlier this year, a jury found in February that LaPierre spent millions of dollars of NRA money to fund a extravagant lifestyle which included exotic getaways and travel on private planes and superyachts.
Jurors also found that the NRA failed to properly manage its assets, omitted or misrepresented information in its tax returns and violated whistleblower protections under New York law.
The upcoming proceedings in Manhattan state court are a non-jury trial, meaning there is no jury and the judge will deliver the verdict.
The NRA, through its attorney, called the court’s request for a monitor to oversee the administration of the organization’s charitable assets “unwarranted.”
William Brewer, an attorney for the NRA, said Friday that the organization was the victim in the case and has since taken a “course correction” to ensure it is in full compliance with state nonprofit laws.
“The crux of ‘Phase Two’ is the burden on the New York State Attorney General to prove that any violation of a law is ‘continuous’ and persistent within the NRA,” he said in an email. “That is a burden the New York Attorney General cannot meet.”
Spokespeople for James declined to comment, as did LaPierre’s lawyer, who said his client was not required to appear in person but would be present Monday. An email was also sent to Frazer’s lawyer.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks, with both sides scheduled to testify Monday, according to James’ office. Charles Cotton, a former NRA president, is expected to be the first to testify.
Bob Barr, the organization’s president and former congressman, and Douglas Hamlin, the NRA’s CEO, are among the current employees and board members also listed as potential witnesses, according to James’ office.
The trial has shed light on the leadership, organizational culture and finances of the lobbying group, which was founded more than 150 years ago in New York to promote shooting skills and grew into a political juggernaut that influenced federal law and presidential elections.
The jury ordered LaPierre to repay nearly $4.4 million to the organization he led for three decades, while the NRA’s retired chief financial officer, Wilson “Woody” Phillipswas ordered to repay $2 million.
Last week, James’ office announced details of a settlement reached with Phillips.
Under the agreement, he agreed not to serve as a trustee for a New York nonprofit organization for 10 years. He also agreed to undergo training before returning to such a position.
The deal means that Phillips, now retired, will not have to take part in the proceedings that begin Monday, but he will still have to pay $2 million in damages under the original verdict.
