(New York) The longtime president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced his resignation Friday, just days before the start of a civil trial in New York examining his work leading the powerful gun rights organization. gun rights in the United States.
Wayne LaPierre, executive director and vice president of the organization, indicated that his resignation will be effective January 31. He has been at the helm of the NRA since 1991. Andrew Arulanandam will serve as interim CEO and vice president, the organization said.
“With pride in all we have accomplished, I announce my resignation from the NRA,” Mr. LaPierre said in a statement released by the organization. I have been a tenured member of this organization for most of my adult life and will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause is more intense than ever. »
A trial is set to begin Monday in a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against the NRA, Wayne LaPierre and others who served as officials of the organization . Mr. LaPierre is one of the expected witnesses.
Letitia James, a Democrat, accuses Mr. LaPierre and other executives of illegally embezzling tens of millions of dollars from the NRA and spending the organization’s funds on personal travel and other questionable expenses.
The Attorney General is seeking to ban Wayne LaPierre and other executives from running any charitable or nonprofit organization doing business in New York, which would effectively remove them from the NRA.