NRA Sues Charitable Arm Over Leadership Power Struggle and Alleged Embezzlement of Donations.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has filed a lawsuit against its charitable arm, the NRA Foundation, claiming that a faction of former directors is trying to seize control of the organization and misusing $160m in donations. The allegations come as part of a power struggle within the NRA following the ouster of longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre in 2024.
LaPierre was ousted alongside other senior executives after a financial corruption scandal, which led to a New York state jury finding the group's top executives liable for misspending millions of dollars. The group's former president, Oliver North, resigned in 2019 over concerns about LaPierre's spending habits and alleged embezzlement.
The NRA Foundation was established in 1990 to support public-interest programs, but according to the lawsuit, its current leaders are trying to divert donations away from these initiatives and use them for personal gain. The group alleges that the foundation's leaders have "betrayed their principles" and are trying to "hijack the NRA's trademarks and set up competition" against the main organization.
NRA CEO Doug Hamlin described the lawsuit as a "last resort" to protect himself from being ousted by the rival faction, saying it was a "disappointing day" for the organization. He claimed that the foundation's actions were "adversarial" and left no reasonable alternative for the NRA.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and a block on the foundation using the NRA name, trademark, and logo. It names the foundation as defendant, but points to a faction allied with former executive vice president Wayne LaPierre as being behind the alleged power struggle.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has filed a lawsuit against its charitable arm, the NRA Foundation, claiming that a faction of former directors is trying to seize control of the organization and misusing $160m in donations. The allegations come as part of a power struggle within the NRA following the ouster of longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre in 2024.
LaPierre was ousted alongside other senior executives after a financial corruption scandal, which led to a New York state jury finding the group's top executives liable for misspending millions of dollars. The group's former president, Oliver North, resigned in 2019 over concerns about LaPierre's spending habits and alleged embezzlement.
The NRA Foundation was established in 1990 to support public-interest programs, but according to the lawsuit, its current leaders are trying to divert donations away from these initiatives and use them for personal gain. The group alleges that the foundation's leaders have "betrayed their principles" and are trying to "hijack the NRA's trademarks and set up competition" against the main organization.
NRA CEO Doug Hamlin described the lawsuit as a "last resort" to protect himself from being ousted by the rival faction, saying it was a "disappointing day" for the organization. He claimed that the foundation's actions were "adversarial" and left no reasonable alternative for the NRA.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and a block on the foundation using the NRA name, trademark, and logo. It names the foundation as defendant, but points to a faction allied with former executive vice president Wayne LaPierre as being behind the alleged power struggle.
. I mean, come on, the NRA Foundation is just trying to shake things up and make some real changes around there. They're not all bad, and they definitely deserve a chance to lead without those old guard people holding them back.
. Maybe the foundation just wants to take some donations for themselves because they know the NRA is getting a bit stale? I mean, Wayne LaPierre was out, what, like 5 years ago? The organization needs some new blood, you know?
. That sounds like a solid business move to me. I'm all for entrepreneurship and innovation within the NRA, even if it means they're not playing by the same rules as before.
this is what happens when you have too many old dudes in charge 
like come on, $160m just disappears into thin air? I mean I'm no expert but it sounds like a legit money laundering operation to me 
also can we talk about how Wayne LaPierre went from being ousted for corruption to being the poster child for "I'm not corrupt" 
anyway I guess this is what happens when you have power struggles 
and factions within an organization, just peachy 
and what's really goin on with doug hamlin? is he just tryna save his own skin or is there more to it? 
i'm watchin this closely, fam 
... its like they're not even trying to be transparent about their finances anymore 
... I wonder what they could do with that if they just used it for good instead of drama 
. And whats with the lawsuit? cant we just have a peaceful resolution 
? It feels like its all about who's got more power and influence now 
anyway i guess we'll have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out 
[GIF of a spider spinning a web, but the threads are broken and falling apart]
at least the CEO is being honest about trying to protect himself from getting ousted but still this whole thing feels super shady 
The NRA Foundation lawsuit seems like another example of petty infighting and greed 
Can't they just have a calm, rational discussion about how to move forward? 
. it's clear that someone is getting rich off these donations, but who knows for sure? maybe we'll get to the bottom of it in court 
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. But at the same time, I worry about what this says about the overall culture of organizations with a strong sense of identity and mission. It feels like personal interests are taking over all else 
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. If the foundation's leaders are trying to siphon off donations for personal gain, that's some messed up stuff right there