After a six-week trial in New York, a jury determined that the National Rifle Association (NRA) was held liable for financial mismanagement and found Wayne LaPierre, the former CEO, guilty of corruptly running the organization. The jury calculated that LaPierre's actions cost the NRA a total of $5,400,000, with him having already repaid over $1 million. LaPierre resigned from his position on January 5 due to health reasons just days before the trial commenced.

The lawsuit, filed by the New York Attorney General's Office in 2020, accused the NRA and senior management of misappropriating millions of dollars for personal benefits, including private jets, family vacations, and luxury items. The jury deliberated for five days before reaching its verdict, which also found John Frazer and Woody Phillips, former executives of the NRA, liable for violating their duties to the organization. The accusations stemmed from a three-year investigation into the NRA's financial practices.

Joshua Powell, a former NRA operations director, settled civil claims before the trial and admitted to misusing charitable assets for personal gain. The lawsuit aims to recoup lost assets and permanently ban LaPierre and others from serving on charitable boards in New York. Powell agreed to pay restitution and testify against LaPierre and other defendants.

During closing statements, LaPierre's lawyer argued the lawsuit was politically motivated, while the state accused the NRA of trying to deflect responsibility for their actions. The lawsuit additionally seeks an independent monitor to oversee the NRA's finances. Despite the NRA's attempt to file for bankruptcy in 2021, a federal judge rejected the petition, stating it was not filed in good faith.

The court's ruling is a landmark decision that has significant implications for the NRA and its former executives as they face the repercussions of the financial mismanagement allegations.