Longtime NRA leader Wayne LaPierre announces resignation

Wayne LaPierre, who has been a fixture at the National Rifle Association for decades, will resign. He cited health reasons as the impetus for the move, according the organization.

"The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced today that Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre announced he is stepping down from his position as chief executive of the organization, effective January 31. Long-time NRA executive and Head of General Operations Andrew Arulanandam will become the interim CEO & EVP of the NRA," the group noted.

"With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA," LaPierre said, according to the organization. "I've been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever."

The resignation announcement comes shortly before a civil trial is slated to begin regarding a lawsuit lodged by New York Attorney General Letitia James against the NRA, LaPierre, and others, alleging that NRA funds were misused for personal benefits.

"LaPierre's resignation validates our claims against him, but it will not insulate him or the NRA from accountability. All charities in New York state must adhere to the rule of law, and my office will not tolerate gross mismanagement or top executives funneling millions into their own pockets. Our case will move ahead, and we look forward to proving the facts in court," James said in a statement.

"With respect to the NYAG's allegations, the NRA Board of Directors reports it has undertaken significant efforts to perform a self-evaluation, recommended termination of disgraced 'insiders' and vendors who allegedly abused the Association, and accepted reimbursement, with interest, for alleged excess benefit transactions from LaPierre, as reported in public tax filings," the NRA said in its announcement about LaPierre's resignation.

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