From Fortune:

The longtime head of the National Rifle Association is resigning just days before the start of a civil trial over allegations he diverted millions of dollars from the organization. Wayne LaPierre’s departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial is scheduled to start Monday. The NRA said it will continue to fight the lawsuit.

LaPierre, 74, has headed the NRA’s operations since 1991 and once warned of “jack-booted government thugs” and called for armed guards in schools. In recent years, the NRA has had financial troubles, dwindling membership, and board infighting, as well as questions about LaPierre’s leadership and spending.

The New York lawsuit accuses LaPierre and other executives of spending millions of dollars in organization funds on personal trips, no-show contracts, and other questionable expenditures. LaPierre’s resignation doesn’t resolve open questions before the court or fix the persistent rot within the organization.

LaPierre has defended himself, saying the Bahamas yacht trips were a “security retreat” and conceded not reporting the trips on conflict-of-interest forms: “It’s one of the mistakes I’ve made.” Gun control advocates lauded LaPierre’s resignation, mocking his oft-repeated talking point in the wake of myriad mass shootings over the years.

James is seeking to ban LaPierre and the other executives from serving in leadership positions of any not-for-profit or charitable organization conducting business in New York, which would effectively remove them from any involvement with the NRA. Some of the NRA’s excess spending was kept secret under an arrangement with the organization’s former advertising agency, Ackerman McQueen.

The NRA, chartered as a nonprofit charity in New York in 1871, was incorporated there and is being sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James. A judge rejected its 2021 move to Texas, saying it was a transparent attempt to avoid culpability in James’ lawsuit.

LaPierre’s longtime spokesperson, another top NRA lieutenant who served as a parking spot guard, will assume LaPierre’s roles on an interim basis, the organization said. Gun control advocates lauded LaPierre’s resignation, mocking a talking point he often repeated after mass shootings.

Andrew Arulanandam, a top NRA lieutenant who has served as LaPierre’s spokesperson, will assume his roles on an interim basis, the organization said. Gun control advocates lauded LaPierre’s resignation, mocking a talking point he often repeated after mass shootings.

“Thoughts and prayers to Wayne LaPierre,” said Kris Brown, president of the gun-control advocacy group Brady. “He’s going to need them to be able to sleep at night. Wayne LaPierre spent three decades peddling the Big Lie that more guns make us safer—all at the expense of countless lives. He has blood on his hands, and I won’t miss him.”

Later in the trial, LaPierre is among the witnesses expected to testify. The NRA said it will continue to fight the lawsuit. Gun control advocates lauded LaPierre’s resignation, mocking a talking point he often repeated after mass shootings.



Read more: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre announces resignation days before trial