NRA’s ex-CFO testified he charged group for his Texas to Virginia commute for 3 years
In a riveting turn of events, Wilson “Woody” Phillips, the former financial head of the National Rifle Association (NRA), took the stand in a civil trial against the NRA and its top leaders. Phillips, who oversaw the NRA’s finances from 1993 to 2018, provided shocking revelations about his tenure, raising questions about financial improprieties within the organization.
The trial, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2020, alleges that the NRA and some of its current and former executives, including Wayne LaPierre and John Frazer, misused the organization’s funds for personal benefits, violating nonprofit laws.
Phillips, now 75, relocated to Texas in 2015 and began commuting for work. During his testimony, he disclosed that he charged the NRA for his travel costs back to headquarters in Virginia after the move and continued to receive a monthly payment of $30,000 even after leaving the organization. This revelation sheds light on potential financial mismanagement during his tenure.
Unveiling a lack of transparency, Phillips admitted to not informing the NRA’s compensation committee about his travel and hotel expenses, which were reimbursed for three years. Even after retiring, he continued receiving a substantial monthly payment from the NRA for at least five months.
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The trial also delved into contracts awarded by Phillips to a former girlfriend, a detail he had not disclosed previously. Accusations against LaPierre include the use of NRA funds for personal luxuries such as private jets and vacations, further highlighting the alleged financial misconduct within the organization.
The lawsuit contends that other defendants, including Phillips, allowed these practices to persist. Monica Connell, an attorney with the Attorney General’s office, argued that Phillips did not take action against LaPierre’s misuse of power and failed to properly vet his contract, which included a $1.3 million payment for 2019 and additional compensation in the following years.
In response, Phillips’s lawyer argued that while his client may not have been perfect in his role, he did not intentionally harm the NRA or exploit his position for personal gain. This defense sets the stage for a complex legal battle, as the trial enters its second week with Phillips’s testimony expected to continue.
The trial is anticipated to feature around 120 witnesses, and if found liable, the defendants may be required to repay the NRA. Recommendations regarding Frazer’s role in the organization could also be made. The legal proceedings follow several setbacks for the defendants, including bankruptcy filings and failed attempts to dismiss the lawsuit. Established as a nonprofit since 1871, the NRA finds itself at the center of this legal storm.
The potential outcome of this trial extends beyond financial penalties, possibly leading to restrictions on the defendants’ involvement with charities in New York. It’s important to note that, to date, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with this lawsuit.
As the trial unfolds, the NRA’s reputation hangs in the balance, and the revelations from Phillips’s testimony serve as a critical piece in the puzzle of alleged financial mismanagement within one of the most influential advocacy groups in the United States.
