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Wayne LaPierre, the long-time chairman of the US gun lobby association NRA, announced his resignation just days before the corruption trial began. The 74-year-old man announced Friday that he will resign as president of the National Rifle Association on Jan. 31.
A civil lawsuit against LaPierre and three other current and former NRA leaders begins Monday in New York. New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses them of seeing the organization as a “personal piggy bank” and “plundering” it.
LaPierre, who led the NRA for more than 30 years, cited health reasons for his resignation Friday without elaborating.
Portrait of National Rifle Organization Director Wayne LaPierre
Luxury travel thanks to membership fees?
“I have been a member of this organization for most of my adult life and will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend the Second Amendment,” he said. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution underpins the right to bear arms in the United States, he said, and “my passion for our cause burns as strong as ever.”
LaPierre and three other defendants allegedly embezzled membership fees and donations for personal expenses. Attorney General James accused LaPierre of using the funds to live a lavish lifestyle, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on private jets and luxury trips.
Millions of dollars in support to US politics
The lobbying organization has been vehemently opposed to restrictions on the sale and private ownership of weapons for decades. The organization also gains great influence by providing financial support to politicians.
From 2000 to 2012, the NRA and its defense industry allies’ financial support to the US Congress and presidential campaigns amounted to $80 million (73 million euros), according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, the NRA spent nearly $20 million on ads attacking Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The association spent $10 million on advertising in favor of Republican Donald Trump. (AFP)
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
