NRA Chief Wayne LaPierre To Resign Ahead Of Corruption Trial

FAIRFAX, VA — Wayne LaPierre, the embattled leader of the National Rifle Association who is facing accusations of misusing funds, has resigned from his place at the helm of the gun-rights group, the organization announced in a statement.

His resignation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, came just days before he is expected to stand trial in Manhattan after New York Attorney General Letitia James' filed a lawsuit against the NRA, LaPierre and others who have served as organization executives.

LaPierre's resignation is effective on Jan. 31, the organization said. Andrew Arulanandam, LaPierre’s longtime spokesman, will become the interim chief executive.

LaPierre has led the NRA since 1991 acting as the face and vehement voice of its gun rights agenda. He once warned of “jack-booted government thugs” seizing guns, called for armed guards in every school after a spate of shootings, and condemned foes backing gun control measures as “opportunists” who “exploit tragedy for gain.”

In recent years though, the NRA has been beset by dwindling membership and financial troubles, along with lingering questions about LaPierre's leadership and spending.

“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement released by the organization. “I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever.”

James, a Democrat, accuses LaPierre and other executives of illegally diverting tens of millions of dollars from the NRA and spending organization funds on personal trips, no-show contracts and other questionable expenditures.

LaPierre is accused in the lawsuit of spending millions on private jet flights and personal security and accepting expensive gifts — such as African safaris and use of a 107-foot yacht — from vendors.

He is also accused of setting himself up with a $17 million contract with the NRA if he were to exit the organization, spending NRA money on travel consultants, luxury car services, and private jet flights for himself and his family — including more than $500,000 on eight trips to the Bahamas over a three-year span.

The trial is scheduled to start on Monday. LaPierre is among the witnesses expected to testify.

James is seeking to ban LaPierre and the other executives from serving in the leadership of any not-for-profit or charitable organization conducting business in New York, which would effectively remove them from any involvement with the NRA.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.