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Ex-NRA CFO cites last-minute "surprises" for refusing to sign 2019 federal tax disclosure.
https://www.thetrace.org/2021/01/nra-bankruptcy-texas-lawsuits-new-yorkFor those who have less frustrating ways to spend their life than discussing gun stuff, the NRA is being sued in NY for abusing their non profit status and inside dealing. The NY AG ultimately hopes to disband the organization entirely. In an effort to prevent that the NRA (hopefully soon to be RIP) declared bankruptcy in Texas (not were they are headquartered) an effort to stop those proceedings. Awkwardly, just after the filing Wayne Lapierre sent a letter to the membership assuring them that the organization was on firm financial ground and finances were "as strong as ever".
The court hearing currently going on in Texas is about whether the bankruptcy filing is legitimate and legal. If the court finds that it is not the likelihood that the organization will survive the NY suit is very small.
With that preface, a few excerpts from the testimony of Ex CFO Craig Spray who was fired for not signing off on the 2019 tax disclosure:
In early November last year, just as the deadline to file the disclosure neared, Spray said he learned that three NRA board members had been flying on the group's dime in violation of controls he'd enacted to reform what he described as a “Wayne said” culture, a reference to CEO Wayne LaPierre. An angry Spray sent emails to NRA leaders after he learned of the flights, saying in one, "I am disappointed in all of you," and in another, "I can't emphasize what a breakdown this is." Spray also said that revelations of improper benefits paid to executives, including LaPierre, were hastily included in the filing and he was prevented from reviewing relevant backup material. In the case of the $300,000 in benefits disclosed as having been improperly paid to LaPIerre in 2019, Spray said the firm of NRA outside counsel William Brewer blocked him from substantiating the figure. With Spray unwilling to put his name on the federal filing, LaPierre ultimately signed the document. According to evidence introduced in the case, LaPierre fired Spray in late January after keeping him and other top NRA officials in the dark about the group's bankruptcy plan. Dissident NRA board member Phillip Journey also testified Tuesday and offered his own take on the NRA's top-down leadership, saying the group had become "Wayne's kingdom." — Will Van Sant, staff writer
What little is being revealed of the court proceedings does not look promising for the NRAs future but then this is Texas so who the hell knows.