A lawsuit filed against the National Rifle Association was given the green light to move forward in a ruling by Justice Joel Cohen of Manhattan Supreme Court, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit, filed last August by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, seeks to dissolve the 5-million-member association, alleging that NRA had violated state laws regarding non-profit financial practices, as noted by The Hill.
The NRA counter-sued, essentially accusing James, a Democrat, of acting on political motives.
James’ lawsuit also alleged that NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and other association officialsused millions of dollars of association funds for personal expenses, including travel via private jet.
Recently, NRA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to “dump New York” and reorganize in Texas. NRA was originally incorporated in New York State in 1871. This year marks the NRA’s 150th anniversary, and it is planning a convention in Houston in September.
In a statement, James declared, “Today’s order reaffirms what we’ve known all along: the NRA does not get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions.”
NRA had asked the judge for a change of venue to Albany, where the association originally had an office. NRA had a headquarters building for several years in Washington, D.C., but moved about 25 years ago to its present building in Fairfax, Va.
