New York AG takes aim at NRA finances

Charges that National Rifle Association officials have mismanaged the gun-rights group’s money have prompted a probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The attorney general “has launched an investigation related to the National Rifle Association,” spokeswoman Kelly Donnelly said Saturday in an email. “As part of this investigation, the attorney general has issued subpoenas.”

James (photo) — who vowed during her 2018 election campaign to investigate the NRA’s nonprofit status — has also issued document preservation notices to the NRA and affiliated entities, it was reported Saturday.

“The NRA is prepared for this, and has full confidence in its accounting practices and commitment to good governance,” NRA lawyer William Brewer said.

The prospect of an investigationby New York officials has led to unrest in NRA ranks. At the group’s annual convention in Indianapolis, dissident members offered a resolution holding Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s chief executive, culpable for any alleged financial violations and calling on him to resign.

Although the resolution failed, other NRA members sought more information regarding possible improprieties, reported NPR.

New York officials are already taking on the NRA over its marketing of insurance policies for its members.

The state last year fined insurance broker Lockton Cos. $7 million for underwriting an NRAbranded program called Carry Guard, which was designed to protect law-abiding gun owners charged with crimes or sued over the use of their guns.

Critics labeled Carry Guard “murder insurance.” Carry Guard illegally insured gun owners “for certain acts of intentional wrongdoing,” said a news release from Gov. Cuomo’s office.

The NRA countered the state’s move against Carry Guard with a suit claiming its members’ First Amendment rights had been violated.