LaPierre turned NRA into 'Wayne's World,' NY lawyer says at graft trial

Wayne LaPierre ran the National Rifle Association (NRA) as “Wayne’s World” for decades, a lawyer for New York state said at the start of the gun rights group’s corruption trial, three days after LaPierre suddenly resigned as chief executive.

New York Attorney General Letitia James had sued the NRA and its longtime leader in August 2020, saying the group diverted millions of dollars to fund luxuries for top officials, including travel expenses for LaPierre to several resorts.

In her opening statement, state lawyer Monica Connell told the six jurors and six alternates that NRA officials failed to obtain board approval for conflicts of interest and insider transactions, arranged no-show contracts for associates, and retaliated against whistleblowers who suspected wrongdoing.

“The NRA allowed Wayne LaPierre and his group of insiders … to operate the NRA as ‘Wayne’s World’ for decades,” said Connell, alluding to the 1992 movie starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. “Wayne LaPierre and his friends effectively suppressed the voice of anyone who challenged his leadership.”

James has said the NRA’s and LaPierre’s misconduct violated state laws governing nonprofits, which she enforces.