Gun control group files federal lawsuit against NRA, accusing it of campaign finance violations

A gun control advocacy group filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the National Rifle Association, accusing the pro-gun group of violating campaign finance law by giving tens of millions of dollars to congressional races.

According to The Hill, the Campaign Legal Center on behalf of anti-gun group Giffords filed the lawsuit saying the NRA intentionally donated $35 million to Republican congressional candidates by funneling the funds through shell companies.

"Over the past seven years, the National Rifle Association has engaged in an ongoing scheme to evade campaign finance regulations by using a series of shell corporations to illegally but surreptitiously coordinate advertising with at least seven candidates for federal office," the group says in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit specifically takes issue with the NRA's marketing firm called "Starboard," which the group says is "functionally indistinguishable" from an identical organization called OnMessage, which Sen. Josh Hawley used during his 2018 senate campaign.

The complaint also says both companies have the same leadership panel, are located at the exact same address, and most employees work for both companies.

The lawsuit is now pending in federal court.