NRA sues its charitable foundation over alleged $160 million donation misuse

National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit Monday accusing its charitable foundation, the NRA Foundation, of misusing $160 million in donations.

The NRA alleged that the foundation used its trademarks without permission and diverted donations intended for the NRA's charitable programs. The group also said former NRA directors seized control of the fund to compete with the gun rights organization.

“The fund was taken over by a disgruntled faction of former NRA directors who lost control of the NRA Board after the revelations financial irregularitiesmismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty and trust of members,” NRA lawyers wrote in the complaint.

The lawyer said a faction of former directors is seeking to use the fund to regain control after being “ousted from power by members of the NRA.”

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The lawsuit alleges that the foundation has personal “differences” with the NRA and that the faction is “bitter” about losing control of the NRA's board of directors after a “series of scandals.”

Wayne LaPierre, former head of the NRA, resigned January 2024 as he was scheduled to stand trial in a corruption case brought by Democratic New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Prosecutors alleged that NRA executives spent millions of company funds on lavish personal purchases and trips.

Former NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre smiles during the NRA's annual membership meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 27, 2019. (Getty Images)

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The jury found the organization guilty of financial fraud. order to LaPierre to repay the debt group – $4,351,231.

Then-National Rifle Association President Bob Barr (center) speaks at the NRA's annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, April 26, 2025. Bill Bachenberg (right) soon succeeded Barr as president. (Reuters/Gina Moon)

The judge later decided not to appoint an outside monitor to oversee the NRA, but Lapierre banned from working in the organization for ten years.

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The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to bar the foundation from engaging in what the NRA calls unfair competition, including promoting or advertising any affiliation with the NRA or use of its logo. It also seeks to block conduct that might lead the public to believe that the foundation's activities are “sponsored, endorsed or sanctioned by, affiliated with or associated with the NRA.”