NRA Sues Ackerman-McQueen, Ackerman-McQueen Tries to Oust LaPierre at Meeting

Bartholomew Roberts · April 27, 2019, 03:43 AM

The NRA has recently sued its long time lobbying firm for refusing to provide a detailed account of billing for the $40 million NRA spent with them in the last year. The lawyer leading the charge for NRA is the brother-in-law of a senior AM partner however and it isn’t immediately clear to me whether the suit is justified or an attempt to poach a client that spends millions on legal services every year.

In response, NRA Board Member and AM partner, David Boren has demanded Wayne LaPierre step down. The demand was delivered by the new President, Oliver North, who also receives money from AM. Having seen what Boren has done to OU, I can’t imagine he has the same vision f the NRA that I do and it surprises me to see him and North on the same side.

Sources (all these are from a single convenient news aggregator site but the link shows the actual document or original news source):
LaPierre’s letter refusing to resign: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...hat-he-resign/
Adam Kraut’s take on the matter:
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...is-at-the-nra/
New York investigation into NRA board malfeasance:
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...to-destroy-it/
NRA sues Ackerman McQueen
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...erman-mcqueen/

**Tom Servo** · April 27, 2019, 08:15 AM

To add, here's Jeff Knox's take on it. Knox can be prickly, but he's right on this.

Frankly, I've wanted LaPierre gone since the "jack boot thugs" thing, and he bears responsibility for some truly horrifying missteps in public perception (the "Target Practice" ad, the Dana Loesch "We're Coming for You" ad).

Meanwhile, they appointed Oliver North as President. Any other corporation with a whiff of common sense would realize how (to put it mildly) controversial a choice that was.

Under his leadership, the NRA has come to look clueless, blatantly partisan, and out of touch with younger gun owners. Add their full-throated support for the bump-stock ban, and they have a massive PR problem.

LineStretcher · April 27, 2019, 09:02 AM

I'm a lifetime member of the NRA. I am pro second amendment. I am a gun owner. That's what I am plain and simple.

The NRA is falling apart at the hands of infiltrated anti-gun activists and needs a thorough and complete house cleaning. I do not think it represents it's members much like congress does not represent the people.

I paid my dues to the NRA yet they continue to ask me for more money. Every time I turn around there's another email that asks me for more money. The only way to respond to the emails is with money and I'm sick and tired of it. I've gotten to the point now where I feel like it's just a big scam.

WyMark · April 27, 2019, 09:10 AM

The first I read about this was the New Yorker article last week that Knox references in his column.

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-d...ed-at-the-nra/

Very long, in depth and well researched. The extent of the self dealing and corruption is really amazing, but not really all that surprising.

WyMark · April 27, 2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

The NRA is falling apart at the hands of infiltrated anti-gun activists and needs a thorough and complete house cleaning.

I don't think this is even remotely accurate. The greed and corruption at the top of the organization is doing a much better job of destroying it from within than any anti-gun activists could even dream of.

50 shooter · April 27, 2019, 09:40 AM

Wayne has needed to go for many years, along with some of the other long standing board members. The problem is that they've been in for so long and changed or made up rules that pretty much keep them there!

Anytime (such as now) there's talk about ousting them, they close ranks and make it sound like there's personal attacks on them. They tell everyone that they're dealing with the enemy within, basically anyone that wants them to step down.

What Wayne and his cronies don't understand is that they are going to destroy the NRA. Even long standing members have been tearing up their membership cards and mailing them in. I'm sure they understand but at this point don't care and figure that if they have to go, they might as well bring the whole organization down at the same time!

That's the kind of POS Wayne is, always has been and always will be!

**Tom Servo** · April 27, 2019, 10:39 AM

it turns out, North won't be running for reelection. He's out as of next week.

Evan Thomas · April 27, 2019, 10:44 AM

Quote:

it turns out, North won't be running for reelection. He's out as of next week.

Verrrrry interesting...

JERRYS. · April 27, 2019, 11:51 AM

I agree that new leadership is needed as well as new public relations.

LineStretcher · April 27, 2019, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyMark

I don't think this is even remotely accurate. The greed and corruption at the top of the organization is doing a much better job of destroying it from within than any anti-gun activists could even dream of.

The more I read and see, you are probably correct. North is out but then I don't think he was ever really in.

**Tom Servo** · April 27, 2019, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Verrrrry interesting...

Part of me hopes for another Cincinnati Revolt, but LaPierre made it virtually impossible to oust him in the 2012 meeting.

Bartholomew Roberts · April 27, 2019, 02:42 PM

Except in this case the winners of a Cincinnati revolt would be Boren and Ackerman-McQueen. As much as I’d like to see LaPierre gone, I’m left wondering if that’s an improvement.

**Mike Irwin** · April 27, 2019, 02:47 PM

This is nothing new. Absolutely nothing new.

Maxwell Rich, Ray Arnett, and J. Warren Cassidy made a complete hash of their time as NRA EVPs.

Rich was trying to pull NRA totally out of the firearms rights arena and move the organization to Colorado Springs.

It's his 'leadership' that led directly to the Cincinnati Revolution.

Ray Arnett (I THINK that was his name) kept a 20something side piece who worked for NRA.

He allegedly paid her considerably more than what her job description bore, and also allegedly used NRA funds to pay for a luxury apartment for her.

J. Warren Cassidy had a curious watch, too. Under his leadership NRA wasted something north of $50 million on a computer system that never worked.

And, he allegedly couldn't keep his penis in his pants when around the ladies.

He also fired Marsha Beasley, who ended up suing Cassidy and NRA for wrongful termination and sexual harassment. Cassidy and the NRA settled that one after depositions had been taken because, allegedly, one of NRA's attorneys told Cassidy that there was no way to win after certain facts came out about his conduct and statements he supposedly made.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 27, 2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyMark

The first I read about this was the New Yorker article last week that Knox references in his column.

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-d...ed-at-the-nra/

Very long, in depth and well researched. The extent of the self dealing and corruption is really amazing, but not really all that surprising.

Quote:

On April 12th, the N.R.A. embarked on another lawsuit—against Ackerman McQueen. The suit alleges that Ackerman has denied the N.R.A. access to basic business records, including the terms of Oliver North’s contract, and blames the firm for throwing it into an existential crisis. Ackerman’s general lack of transparency, the complaint says, “threatens to imminently and irreparably harm” the N.R.A.’s status as a nonprofit organization. (In response, the marketing firm issued a statement saying it “has served the NRA and its members with great pride and dedication for the last 38 years. The NRA’s action is frivolous, inaccurate and intended to cause harm to the reputation of our company and the future of that 38-year relationship.”)

It appears unusual and illogical that the NRA would sue Ackerman McQueen after 38 years, and considering the paired-at-the-hip relationship between the organizations and the principle players.

Unless ... it's a sham lawsuit. Unless the NRA is filing a lawsuit only to satisfy "dissident" (i.e. responsible) members and directors that they are (finally) acting responsibly, but a lawsuit they have no intention of winning. The NRA's lead attorney, after all, is the son-in-law of the senior McQueen. Talk about a conflict of interest!

Conspiracy theory much? Yes, possibly. But to a well-entrenched cadre of bloodsuckers, it would make perfect sense.

Bartholomew Roberts · April 27, 2019, 04:30 PM

I don’t think you are wrong to think that the lawsuit is designed to protect the NRA Board of Directors from lawsuits by members rather than correct ongoing corruption.

LaPierre is as deep with Ackerman McQueen as any of his accusers. The NRA has been arguing that the financial organizations are conspiring against them; but it seems like a decent portion of the insurance problems are that nobody wants to insure a fat target for lawsuits based on failure by the board to uphold even basic corporate responsibilities.

ETA: Same NY Attorney General that called the NRA a “terrorist organization” will investigate whether NRA has sufficient oversight to qualify for tax-exempt status.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/b...v-lawsuit.html

Better, inside-baseball analysis by National Review of the many political interests at stake in this fight: https://www.nationalreview.com/corne...north-departs/

Skans · April 29, 2019, 08:58 AM

Well, I'm not about to give up my NRA membership or support. But, I would like to see the organization cleaned up quickly. As for the lawsuit against Ackerman-McQueen, it seems legitimate. If there wasn't any truth tot he lawsuit at all, this would have been easily settled by Ackerman-McQueen making full disclosures.

How can we know which NRA Directors truly have the best interest of gun owners and the NRA at heart?

Glenn E. Meyer · April 29, 2019, 10:10 AM

Good question. My take away in some of the debates is that support for the NRA and its basic goal does not mandate blind faith in any particular leadership. Leadership is an empirical question and might be better served if the actual leadership was elected and not enshrined.

Messes like this probably mandate a house cleaning of both warring parties. When folks are making a million bucks for their positions, you have to wonder about priorites. When your debatable clothing allowance is 200K, what are you thinking about?

Onward Allusion · April 29, 2019, 10:41 AM

Us little brains (aka humans) can't handle much power. Having lots of it will ultimately lead most to corruption. The situation with the NRA is sad but not surprising. In all honesty, I wonder how I (or most people) would do in a similar situation. I personally think politicians, including Sec 501c3 leaders should be drafted from a qualified pool for fixed terms.

Glenn E. Meyer · April 29, 2019, 10:50 AM

Here's a pretty good editorial on the situation from a major firearms blog. I agree with the major points.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...arm-ownership/

NoSecondBest · April 29, 2019, 11:00 AM

After forty-nine years in the NRA I quit last year. It's as corrupt as both political parties are right now. If I give money, I want it to do some good, not line someone's pockets.

PhotonGuy · April 29, 2019, 12:36 PM

Here is a video on the NRA and how it is today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If-ICa_y9-A

JERRYS. · April 29, 2019, 02:47 PM

Wayne Lapierre was paid over $5 Million dollars last year from the NRA membership?!

TailGator · April 29, 2019, 03:08 PM

I doubt that I or any of us can know everything that is going on in this. I have to wonder, though, at the idea that, in a battle between an elected president and an employee, the employee wins. From the standpoint of democracy and the NRA being an organization beholden to its members, that doesn't feel right to me.

zxcvbob · April 29, 2019, 07:38 PM

I'll probably let my membership run out at the end of next year (I'm paid up until then) if the NRA is even still around. The May issue of 1st Freedom has an article about how the NRA is under siege by the state of New York, and it's urgent that every member send them a $250, $500 or more donation to fight-off the attack. I think that's funny, because what they are in trouble for is corruption and lack of fiduciary responsibility.

So we are supposed to send them millions of extra dollars after they've been caught with the hands in the cookie jar. I don't think so. How much is Wayne kicking-in? I hate to see the NRA go away, but somebody else will step in to fill the vacuum. And if half the board members and executives end up in prison, it might be worth it.

raimius · April 29, 2019, 10:39 PM

If the monetary accusations are true, this gives a lot of leverage to NY anti-gun politicians.

It's sad that such (alleged) greed and shady dealings have the potential to hand our largest gun rights organization over to those who want it destroyed.

April 27, 2019, 03:43 AM	#1
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	NRA Sues Ackerman-McQueen, Ackerman-McQueen Tries to Oust LaPierre at Meeting The NRA has recently sued its long time lobbying firm for refusing to provide a detailed account of billing for the $40 million NRA spent with them in the last year. The lawyer leading the charge for NRA is the brother-in-law of a senior AM partner however and it isn’t immediately clear to me whether the suit is justified or an attempt to poach a client that spends millions on legal services every year. In response, NRA Board Member and AM partner, David Boren has demanded Wayne LaPierre step down. The demand was delivered by the new President, Oliver North, who also receives money from AM. Having seen what Boren has done to OU, I can’t imagine he has the same vision f the NRA that I do and it surprises me to see him and North on the same side. Sources (all these are from a single convenient news aggregator site but the link shows the actual document or original news source): LaPierre’s letter refusing to resign: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...hat-he-resign/ Adam Kraut’s take on the matter: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...is-at-the-nra/ New York investigation into NRA board malfeasance: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...to-destroy-it/ NRA sues Ackerman McQueen https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...erman-mcqueen/

April 27, 2019, 08:15 AM	#2
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	To add, here's Jeff Knox's take on it. Knox can be prickly, but he's right on this. Frankly, I've wanted LaPierre gone since the "jack boot thugs" thing, and he bears responsibility for some truly horrifying missteps in public perception (the "Target Practice" ad, the Dana Loesch "We're Coming for You" ad). Meanwhile, they appointed Oliver North as President. Any other corporation with a whiff of common sense would realize how (to put it mildly) controversial a choice that was. Under his leadership, the NRA has come to look clueless, blatantly partisan, and out of touch with younger gun owners. Add their full-throated support for the bump-stock ban, and they have a massive PR problem. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

April 27, 2019, 09:40 AM	#6
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Wayne has needed to go for many years, along with some of the other long standing board members. The problem is that they've been in for so long and changed or made up rules that pretty much keep them there! Anytime (such as now) there's talk about ousting them, they close ranks and make it sound like there's personal attacks on them. They tell everyone that they're dealing with the enemy within, basically anyone that wants them to step down. What Wayne and his cronies don't understand is that they are going to destroy the NRA. Even long standing members have been tearing up their membership cards and mailing them in. I'm sure they understand but at this point don't care and figure that if they have to go, they might as well bring the whole organization down at the same time! That's the kind of POS Wayne is, always has been and always will be! __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

April 27, 2019, 10:39 AM	#7
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	it turns out, North won't be running for reelection. He's out as of next week. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

April 27, 2019, 02:47 PM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	This is nothing new. Absolutely nothing new. Maxwell Rich, Ray Arnett, and J. Warren Cassidy made a complete hash of their time as NRA EVPs. Rich was trying to pull NRA totally out of the firearms rights arena and move the organization to Colorado Springs. It's his 'leadership' that led directly to the Cincinnati Revolution. Ray Arnett (I THINK that was his name) kept a 20something side piece who worked for NRA. He allegedly paid her considerably more than what her job description bore, and also allegedly used NRA funds to pay for a luxury apartment for her. J. Warren Cassidy had a curious watch, too. Under his leadership NRA wasted something north of $50 million on a computer system that never worked. And, he allegedly couldn't keep his penis in his pants when around the ladies. He also fired Marsha Beasley, who ended up suing Cassidy and NRA for wrongful termination and sexual harassment. Cassidy and the NRA settled that one after depositions had been taken because, allegedly, one of NRA's attorneys told Cassidy that there was no way to win after certain facts came out about his conduct and statements he supposedly made. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 27, 2019, 09:02 AM	#3
LineStretcher Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2018 Posts: 619	I'm a lifetime member of the NRA. I am pro second amendment. I am a gun owner. That's what I am plain and simple. The NRA is falling apart at the hands of infiltrated anti-gun activists and needs a thorough and complete house cleaning. I do not think it represents it's members much like congress does not represent the people. I paid my dues to the NRA yet they continue to ask me for more money. Every time I turn around there's another email that asks me for more money. The only way to respond to the emails is with money and I'm sick and tired of it. I've gotten to the point now where I feel like it's just a big scam.

April 27, 2019, 09:10 AM	#4
WyMark Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 647	The first I read about this was the New Yorker article last week that Knox references in his column. http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-d...ed-at-the-nra/ Very long, in depth and well researched. The extent of the self dealing and corruption is really amazing, but not really all that surprising.

April 27, 2019, 11:51 AM	#9
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	I agree that new leadership is needed as well as new public relations.

April 27, 2019, 02:42 PM	#12
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Except in this case the winners of a Cincinnati revolt would be Boren and Ackerman-McQueen. As much as I’d like to see LaPierre gone, I’m left wondering if that’s an improvement.

April 27, 2019, 04:30 PM	#15
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	I don’t think you are wrong to think that the lawsuit is designed to protect the NRA Board of Directors from lawsuits by members rather than correct ongoing corruption. LaPierre is as deep with Ackerman McQueen as any of his accusers. The NRA has been arguing that the financial organizations are conspiring against them; but it seems like a decent portion of the insurance problems are that nobody wants to insure a fat target for lawsuits based on failure by the board to uphold even basic corporate responsibilities. ETA: Same NY Attorney General that called the NRA a “terrorist organization” will investigate whether NRA has sufficient oversight to qualify for tax-exempt status. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/b...v-lawsuit.html Better, inside-baseball analysis by National Review of the many political interests at stake in this fight: https://www.nationalreview.com/corne...north-departs/ Last edited by Bartholomew Roberts; April 27, 2019 at 05:47 PM.

April 29, 2019, 08:58 AM	#16
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Well, I'm not about to give up my NRA membership or support. But, I would like to see the organization cleaned up quickly. As for the lawsuit against Ackerman-McQueen, it seems legitimate. If there wasn't any truth tot he lawsuit at all, this would have been easily settled by Ackerman-McQueen making full disclosures. How can we know which NRA Directors truly have the best interest of gun owners and the NRA at heart?

April 29, 2019, 10:10 AM	#17
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Good question. My take away in some of the debates is that support for the NRA and its basic goal does not mandate blind faith in any particular leadership. Leadership is an empirical question and might be better served if the actual leadership was elected and not enshrined. Messes like this probably mandate a house cleaning of both warring parties. When folks are making a million bucks for their positions, you have to wonder about priorites. When your debatable clothing allowance is 200K, what are you thinking about? __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

April 29, 2019, 10:41 AM	#18
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Us little brains (aka humans) can't handle much power. Having lots of it will ultimately lead most to corruption. The situation with the NRA is sad but not surprising. In all honesty, I wonder how I (or most people) would do in a similar situation. I personally think politicians, including Sec 501c3 leaders should be drafted from a qualified pool for fixed terms. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

April 29, 2019, 10:50 AM	#19
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Here's a pretty good editorial on the situation from a major firearms blog. I agree with the major points. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...arm-ownership/ __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

April 29, 2019, 11:00 AM	#20
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	After forty-nine years in the NRA I quit last year. It's as corrupt as both political parties are right now. If I give money, I want it to do some good, not line someone's pockets.

April 29, 2019, 12:36 PM	#21
PhotonGuy Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2019 Posts: 146	Here is a video on the NRA and how it is today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If-ICa_y9-A

April 29, 2019, 02:47 PM	#22
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	Wayne Lapierre was paid over $5 Million dollars last year from the NRA membership?!

April 29, 2019, 03:08 PM	#23
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	I doubt that I or any of us can know everything that is going on in this. I have to wonder, though, at the idea that, in a battle between an elected president and an employee, the employee wins. From the standpoint of democracy and the NRA being an organization beholden to its members, that doesn't feel right to me.

April 29, 2019, 07:38 PM	#24
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I'll probably let my membership run out at the end of next year (I'm paid up until then) if the NRA is even still around. The May issue of 1st Freedom has an article about how the NRA is under siege by the state of New York, and it's urgent that every member send them a $250, $500 or more donation to fight-off the attack. I think that's funny, because what they are in trouble for is corruption and lack of fiduciary responsibility. So we are supposed to send them millions of extra dollars after they've been caught with the hands in the cookie jar. I don't think so. How much is Wayne kicking-in? I hate to see the NRA go away, but somebody else will step in to fill the vacuum. And if half the board members and executives end up in prison, it might be worth it. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth Last edited by Aguila Blanca; April 30, 2019 at 10:19 AM. Reason: Unacceptable language removed.

April 29, 2019, 10:39 PM	#25
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	If the monetary accusations are true, this gives a lot of leverage to NY anti-gun politicians. It's sad that such (alleged) greed and shady dealings have the potential to hand our largest gun rights organization over to those who want it destroyed.