Judge bans former NRA head Wayne LaPierre from holding office in the organization for 10 years

A New York judge on Monday banned former National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO Wayne LaPierre from holding a paid position with the organization for 10 years, after a jury found him liable for misspending millions of NRA funds.

The Manhattan jury determined in February that LaPierre and one of his deputies had misspent over $5 million on expensive trips and other personal luxuries. He was then ordered to repay the organization $4,351,231 in restitution, because he had already repaid $1 million.

Judge Joel Cohen also ruled against appointing an independent monitor that would oversee the NRA because of concern about “speech-chilling government intrusion on the affairs of the organization,” according to the Associated Press.

Cohen said the same concern did not impact whether LaPierre could work in the organization.

“This relief is about the privilege, not the right, to serve as an officer or director of a New York not-for-profit,” Cohen said.

Cohen said the monitor was not the correct solution to the problem, but that the NRA's "mixed" reaction to the February ruling lacked accountability. However, he welcomed further proposals on how to reform the organization from attorneys for the NRA, along with the state.

LaPierre resigned his post as the group's executive in January, shortly before the trial. Doug Hamlin has been appointed as the CEO in his place, and has made reform in the organization one of his key priorities. 

“The NRA is moving forward full speed ahead,” Hamlin said in a statement. “We have a mission to fulfill and elections to win up and down the ballot. This is a major step toward rebuilding the trust of the members, donors, industry, and our staff."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.