Leaked documents show more than $500,000 in alleged spending by NRA CEO
Documents published online reportedly show more than $542,000 that the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) public relations firm alleges the organization’s CEO, Wayne LaPierre, billed to it, including $39,000 for shopping at a clothing store in one day, $18,300 for a car and driver in Europe, and $13,800 in rent payments for an intern.
The anonymously posted expense reports are seemingly genuine, a source familiar with the original documents told The Wall Street Journal.
{mosads}The expenses also allegedly include more than $200,000 in “Air Transportation” costs in less than a month, partially connected to a Christmastime Bahamas visit by LaPierre, the Journal reported.
The documents include letters that the PR firm, Ackerman McQueen, reportedly wrote to LaPierre.
“We need to address your wardrobe you required us to provide, specifically purchases at the Zegna store in Beverly Hills, CA,” one letter reportedly said, including an attached list of expenses from 2004 to 2017 worth $274,695.03.
NRA President Carolyn Meadows told the newspaper in a statement that the “entire board is fully aware of these issues. We have full confidence in Wayne LaPierre.”
“It is troubling and pathetic that some people would resort to leaking information to advance their agendas,” she added.
The Hill has reached out to the NRA for additional comment.
The letters were published as the gun rights organization faces both internal strife and external inquiries.
Last month, then-NRA President Oliver North announced he was leaving the group after The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported problems between him and LaPierre. The newspapers uncovered a letter LaPierre reportedly wrote to the NRA’s board accusing North of extorting him over financial wrongdoing allegations.
New York’s attorney general last month launched an investigation into the NRA’s tax-exempt status. Senate Democrats have also sent letters to North, LaPierre and Ackerman McQueen CEO Revan McQueen requesting documents related to “financial impropriety” reportedly alleged by North.