Washington, D.C., October 5, 2020 - Following reporting by the Wall Street Journal that the Internal Revenue Service is investigating National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre, Brady reiterates its calls for such an investigation and for attention to the corruption and abuses of power by NRA leadership. This year, multiple lawsuits brought by the Attorneys General of New York and Washington, D.C. have shown the breadth and depth of the corruption and fiscal malfeasance by NRA leadership, while LaPierre’s former Chief of Staff has similarly detailed that his former boss abused his position as NRA CEO for personal gain. Action by the IRS is sorely needed and, at this point, unsurprising.Brady President Kris Brown shared:“Reports that the IRS are investigating Wayne LaPierre are unsurprising and welcome. Apparently, the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with the IRS. The evidence is clear that Mr. LaPierre has, at the very least, acted inappropriately and in a manner warranting investigation. This is just the latest development in the on-going saga of the NRA’s abuses. We hope that the IRS will now heed Brady’s call to investigate the NRA, and revoke their tax-exempt status. We look forward to all levels of government, including the IRS and the lawsuits filed by Attorneys General Letita James and Karl Racine, holding the NRA and its leadership accountable for their actions.”About Corruption at the NRA:For years, there have been clear signs and explicit statements by former NRA employees indicating that NRA leadership has abused their positions and their authority as fiscal stewards of the organization in violation of its 501c3 tax-exempt status. These include in-depth statements made by Joshua L. Powell this fall. Powell previously served as chief of staff to LaPierre and detailed that LaPierre routinely abused his position and misused NRA funds for his personal benefit and comfort. In October 2019 Brady filed a complaint with the IRS seeking an examination into, and ultimately a revocation of, the NRA’s tax-exempt status. To date, this petition has received over 150,000 signatures.About Lawsuits Against the NRA:On August 6, 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of New York that includes 18 causes of action against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and four of its senior officers, current and former, for fraud, malfeasance, false filings and abuse of the NRA’s tax-exempt status, among other charges. AG James’ action seeks to dissolve the organization in its entirety, following its rampant and wanton misfilings and false reporting. On the same day, Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine filed suit against the NRA Foundation and the NRA for misusing donations to benefit the NRA’s executives. That suit seeks a return of misused funds and court-mandated alterations to the NRA Foundation to ensure it operates in compliance with its charitable purpose.
Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.
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