New York, NY – Joshua Powell, the former operations director of the National Rifle Association (NRA), has reached a settlement in the civil claims of fraud and abuse brought against him by the New York Attorney General’s office, according to recent reports.
This development comes just hours after Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the NRA, announced his resignation ahead of an upcoming trial set to commence next week, citing health reasons. The resignation will take effect on January 31.
Powell, who worked for the NRA from 2016 until January 2020, has admitted to breaching his fiduciary duties and misappropriating charitable assets for his personal benefit and that of his family members, as stated in the settlement agreement.
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement on Saturday, affirming that Powell’s admission of wrongdoing and LaPierre’s resignation validate the allegations of financial corruption against the NRA and its senior leaders that have been made for years.
The attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the NRA and its senior management, accusing them of misappropriating millions of dollars to finance personal expenses, including private jets, luxury goods, and family vacations. James is seeking the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the organization’s finances.
In 2021, the NRA attempted to file for bankruptcy, but the request was denied by a federal judge who ruled that the bankruptcy petition was not filed in good faith.
As a part of the settlement, Powell has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and has accepted a permanent bar from serving as an officer in a nonprofit organization. He has also agreed to testify against LaPierre and others during the upcoming trial.
LaPierre, in response to the New York AG’s lawsuit, has previously stated that it represents an unconstitutional and premeditated attack with the aim of dismantling and destroying the NRA, which he claims has been a strong advocate for American freedom at the ballot box for many decades.
The settlement between Joshua Powell and the New York Attorney General’s office signifies another notable development in the ongoing legal proceedings against the NRA and its senior leadership, adding momentum to the case and raising further questions about the practices and governance of this influential organization.