NEW YORK — The second phase the civil trial against The National Rifle Association and its top executives are set to begin Monday in Manhattan, with New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking an independent monitor to oversee the powerful gun rights advocacy group.
Democrats are also trying to ban Wayne LaPierreformer CEO of the organization, from serving in leadership positions or raising funds on behalf of charitable organizations that conduct business in New York.
During the first phase of the trial earlier this year, a jury concluded in February that LaPierre improperly spent millions of dollars of NRA money to finance a extravagant lifestyle which included exotic getaways and trips on private planes and super yachts.
Jurors also concluded that the NRA failed to properly manage its assets, omitted or misrepresented information on its tax returns and violated whistleblower protections under New York law.
The upcoming proceeding in Manhattan state court is a bench trial, meaning there is no jury and the judge will render the verdict.
The NRA, through its attorney, called the request for a court-appointed monitor to oversee the administration of the organization’s charitable assets “unjustified.”
William Brewer, an attorney for the NRA, said Friday that the organization was the victim in the case and has since made a “course correction” to ensure it is fully compliant with state nonprofit laws.
“The focal point for ‘phase two’ is the NYAG’s burden to show that any violation of any law is ‘continuous’ and persistent in the NRA,” he said in an email.
Spokespeople for James declined to comment, as did LaPierre’s attorney, who said his client is not required to appear in person but will appear on Monday.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks, with both sides beginning witness statements on Monday, according to James’ office. Charles Cotton, former president of the NRA, is expected to take the position first.
Bob Barr, the organization’s president and former congressman, and Douglas Hamlin, CEO of the NRA, are among the current employees and board members also listed as potential witnesses, according to James’ office.
The trial highlighted the leadership, organizational culture and finances of the lobbying group, which was founded more than 150 years ago in New York City to promote rifle skills and has become a political juggernaut that has influenced federal law and elections. presidential.
The jury ordered LaPierre to pay back nearly $4.4 million to the organization he led for three decades, while retired NRA finance chief Wilson “Woody” Phillips was ordered to pay back $2 million.
Last week, James’ office announced details of a settlement reached with Phillips.
Under the agreement, he agreed to be banned for 10 years from serving as a trustee of a New York nonprofit. He also agreed to participate in training before returning to any such role.
The settlement means that Phillips, now retired, does not have to participate in the proceedings that begin Monday, but he is still subject to $2 million in damages from the initial verdict.
___
Follow Filipe Marcelo on twitter.com/philmarcelo.
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
