In a New York City courtroom on Friday, Wayne LaPierre, the long-serving leader of the National Rifle Association (NRA), admitted to utilizing the organization's financial resources for personal expenses. LaPierre's testimony came as part of a lawsuit filed against him, other NRA leaders, and the organization itself by New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2020.

The lawsuit alleges that LaPierre and his colleagues violated nonprofit laws and misappropriated millions of dollars from NRA funds for their personal use. LaPierre, who intends to resign from his position due to health issues at the end of the month, took the stand for the first time and answered most questions with a simple "yes" or "no."

While testifying, LaPierre claimed to have no knowledge of the significant sums of money the NRA spent on chartered private jets and black car services. However, he did not dispute the evidence when presented with invoices and receipts. For instance, he admitted that NRA funds were used to pay for a flight from the Bahamas to Washington, D.C., in 2017, costing over $22,000.

Despite NRA rules mandating employees to fly coach, LaPierre acknowledged that on certain occasions, family members would travel on private planes without him. He even authorized an $11,000 flight taken by his niece, Colleen Sterner, who is also an NRA employee, and her daughter.

LaPierre also testified about his family's luxurious vacations aboard a yacht owned by David McKenzie, the head of a TV production company that had a contract with the NRA. The trips included visits to the Bahamas, India, and Abu Dhabi. Notably, these trips were not approved by the NRA board, and LaPierre failed to disclose his financial connections with McKenzie's company on financial disclosure forms.

Prosecutors further revealed that LaPierre had submitted reimbursement requests for lavish gifts purchased for friends and associates over the years, including expensive candlesticks and other items from high-end retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. He also sought reimbursement for Christmas tips for landscapers and membership dues for a golf club in Washington. Additionally, reimbursement forms indicated payment for hotel rooms, including a stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel that cost over $6,000.

Throughout the morning session, LaPierre provided concise answers, seldom elaborating beyond "yes" or "no." However, he displayed more animation when questioned about the NRA's decision to file for bankruptcy, asserting that it was to protect the organization from dissolution and asset seizure by the attorney general, and to provide a fair regulatory environment in Texas.

The lawsuit alleges that LaPierre, along with former NRA treasurer and CFO Wilson "Woody" Phillips, and corporate secretary and general counsel John Frazer, violated nonprofit laws and internal policies, leading to a loss of over $64 million for the gun rights group during a three-year period.

If the jury finds LaPierre, Phillips, or Frazer liable, they will recommend the amount they should repay to the NRA. Ultimately, State Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen will determine any monetary damages and remedies, including the potential barring of the defendants from serving on the board of any charity in New York, as well as the possibility of an independent monitor overseeing the NRA's finances.