BREAKING: NRA Avoids Financial Oversight, Must Negotiate Reforms With NY AG

In what has to be considered a surprise win for the National Rifle Association in its years-long battle with the state of New York, Judge Joel Cohen has declined the state of New York’s request to appoint an outside monitor to oversee the association.

As the New York Times reports . . .

Justice Joel M. Cohen of Manhattan Supreme Court said he wanted further assurances that the N.R.A. would overhaul its governance practices. He directed the organization and the office of Attorney General Letitia James of New York, which brought the case, to negotiate the details of a series of reform measures that he largely laid out.

The measures he proposed would change how board members are elected, purge the association’s audit committee of longstanding members and make official a number of other administrative changes that the N.R.A. had previously suggested.

Justice Cohen also barred Wayne LaPierre, the former chief executive, from serving as an officer or director of the N.R.A. for the next decade, saying he was seeking a “clear break from past practices.” A 10-year gap would give the organization time to “chart a course well distanced from the one created by this litigation,” the judge said.

It was widely expected that Judge Cohen would impose much more drastic measures on the NRA after clear findings of long term corruption and malfeasance by its officers, combined with lax oversight by the association’s board of directors. The exposure of the scandals and years of court battles have caused significant declines in the NRA’s membership and revenue, resulting in layoffs and reductions in the association’s programs.

Depending on the results of the negotiations with the New York AG and how long and contentious they are, this could finally represent a hint of some light at the end of a very long tunnel.