NRA Watch Report

NRA / New York Trial Exhibit Repository

This is a limited selection of exhibits filed in the New York Attorney General’s litigation against the NRA. For each filing, click the link to see the exhibit.

  1. Trial Exhibit: 2024 NRA Bylaws
    • This copy of the National Rifle Association’s Bylaws is dated May 18, 2024. Docket number 3550.
  2. Trial Exhibit: Various Reports From The NRA Board’s January 2024 Meeting
    • This exhibit features reports from the NRA’s January 2024 board meeting, including the minutes from the executive session of the meeting (p.1), remarks from then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre (p.11), the report of the Audit Committee (p.13), and the report of the Finance Committee (p.23). This board meeting occurred immediately before the beginning of the group’s trial in New York. While in executive session, former NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre announced his resignation, telling the board: “After consultation with my doctors, I have come to the realization that I can no longer continue as your EVP and perform up to the standards I expect of myself.” (p.11) Docket number 3438.
  3. Trial Exhibit: April 2024 Audit Committee Executive Session Minutes
    • This copy of the National Rifle Association’s Audit Committee Executive Session Minutes are unsigned by then-Chairman Charles Cotton and labeled “draft.” The meeting took place in April 2024 at the Dallas office of their NRA outside attorney Brewer, Attorneys, & Counselors.  Docket number 3442.
  4. Trial Exhibit: June 2024 Audit Committee Minutes
    • The NRA’s Audit Committee met at the group’s headquarters on June 19, 2024. In addition to committee members and various NRA staff, five individuals representing the NRA’s outside law firm Brewer, Attorneys, & Counselors were present, including Bill Brewer himself. Docket number 3483.
  5. Trial Exhibit: May 2024 NRA Members Meeting Transcript
    • This 93 page transcript covers the proceedings of the NRA’s Members Meeting at the NRA Annual Meeting on May 18, 2024. Docket number 3444.
  6. Trial Exhibit: March 2024 NRA EVP Search Committee Update #1
    • On March 19, 2024, the NRA’s Executive Vice President Search Committee, tasked with finding a replacement for Wayne LaPierre, provided their first interim progress update to the board. The committee provided another update in May 2024. Docket number 3436.
  7. Trial Exhibit: May 2024 NRA EVP Search Committee Update #2
    • On May 16, 2024, the NRA’s Executive Vice President Search Committee, tasked with finding a replacement for Wayne LaPierre, provided their second progress update to the board after the first update in March. The committee provided a prior update in March 2024. Docket number 3481.
  8. Trial Exhibit: April 2024 “EVP Candidate Submissions”
    • A document titled “EVP Candidate Submissions (As of April 26, 2024)” identifies the following individuals as having been mentioned or considered as a replacement for Wayne LaPierre: Andrew Arulanandam, Larry Keane [“expressed interest to Carol Frampton; mentioned by John Sigler”], Doug Hamlin, Trey Gowdy, Kristi Noem [“self-recommendation”], Mike Huckabee, Reince Priebus, Charles Cotton, Tom Gresham, Scott Walker, Gray Thornton, David Bernhardt, Mark Green, Mick Mulvaney, Todd Grable, Mike Glover, Nick Freitas, Andy Stumpf, Evan Hafer, and Jason Vanderbrink. Docket number 3505.
  9. Trial Exhibit: January 2024 Wayne LaPierre Resignation Letter
    • On January 4, 2024, then-Executive Vice President handed in his resignation to then-NRA President Charles Cotton. Docket number 3437.
  10. Trial Exhibit: April 2024 Joe DeBergalis “End of Employment” Agreement
    • The NRA and former Executive Director of General Operations Joe DeBergalis entered into a “confidential agreement concerning end of employment, payments, release, waiver, confidentiality, non-disparagement, and other matters.” The agreement was signed by DeBergalis on February 6, 2024, and by John Frazer on April 22, 2024, who was General Counsel and Secretary at the time. Docket number 3457.
  11. Trial Exhibit: 2024 Marion Hammer Investigation
    • In 2024, an investigation was initiated into board member Marion Hammer. This “Executive Summary for the Audit Committee” details Hammer’s dealings with the NRA, and steps that Chief Compliance Officer Bob Mensinger took to “assess Hammer’s latest statements and recommend further action as appropriate.” The summary reads in part: “Hammer appeared to use funds that ILA awarded in NRA-ILA State Assistance Grants to USF for her retirement. After heated discussions between Hammer and ILA staff in December 2023, ILA determined that USF did not meet the requirements to stay in compliance with the grant process. Hammer submitted a new 2024 grant application with prior dates crossed out and new dates written in, showing no effort to comply with the process. USF office rental payments continued to be paid directly to the landlord for use by the State Director until June 2024, when the E/D of ILA determined the office space was no longer necessary.” (p.4) Docket number 3559.
  12. Trial Exhibit: January 2023 NRA / Colliers “Exclusive Sale Listing Agreement”
    • This exhibit contains various documents related to the agreement between the NRA and Colliers, a real estate company. On January 26, 2023, then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre signed a “Tenant/Buyer Advisory And Representation Agreement,” and an “Exclusive Sale Listing Agreement” on behalf of the NRA. Docket number 3459.
  13. Trial Exhibit: April 2024 Proposed Amendment To NRA Certificate of Incorporation
    • On April 5, 2024, NRA Board Secretary circulated a memo related to the Proposed Amendment to the NRA’s Certificate of Incorporation. According to Frazer’s memo, “the resolution recommends that the members adopt an amendment to define the National Rifle Association as a non-charitable corporation under the NewYork Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.” (p.1) Docket number 3441.
  14. Trial Exhibit: May 2024 NRA Internal Audit Report
    • This NRA Internal Audit Report is dated May 31, 2024. Docket number 3485.
  15. Trial Exhibit: July 2024 NRA Internal Audit Report
    • This NRA Internal Audit Report is dated July 15, 2024. Docket number 3486.
  16. Trial Exhibit: 2013 Wayne LaPierre Employment Agreement
    • In 2013, Wayne LaPierre signed an employment agreement in which he agreed to continue to be an “employee” at the National Rifle Association “once [his] term as an officer has ended.” His responsibilities would have included “fundraising for and promoting the NRA generally,” and he would have reported to the Executive Vice President. The agreement stipulated that LaPierre would be paid $1 million in 2014, and then $1.1 million annually between 2015 and 2018. This contract was later superseded by a contract extension drawn up in 2018.  Docket number 2976.
  17. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Wayne LaPierre “Golden Parachute” Contract Extension
    • A 2018 contract extension that has been referred to as Wayne LaPierre’s “golden parachute” replaced an agreement signed in 2013. The document indicates that LaPierre was expected to leave his position in 2023 and discusses his payment in the years before and after his departure. It reflects the NRA’s agreement to pay him $1.3 million in 2019, and then $1.5 million annually between 2020 and 2023, continuing after his planned departure through 2025. The NRA agreed that starting in 2026, it would pay LaPierre $1.5 million annually through 2028, and $1.3 million from then until 2030 for appearances and to use his likeness. The agreement was signed by Woody Phillips, Pete Brownell, Carolyn Meadows, and LaPierre himself. Lisa Supernaugh, Phillips’ assistant, served as the notary public. This contract was superseded by another in 2021. Docket number 2719.
  18. Trial Exhibit: 2021 Wayne LaPierre Employee Agreement
    • In late 2020, Wayne LaPierre entered into a new employment agreement with the NRA. It was approved by the NRA board on January 7, 2021. The agreement replaced a previous contract extension signed in 2018 and stipulated that the association would pay him as an employee a base salary of $1.3 million, as well as benefits and a potential “performance bonus.” The agreement detailed a post-employment option, to be implemented at the NRA’s discretion, to pay LaPierre up to $500,000 annually for a period of two years after his departure to use his “name, likeness, or signature for fundraising, public relations, and membership purposes.”  Additionally, the agreement stipulated that the group may engage LaPierre for “in person public appearances,” for which he would “be compensated at a rate of $750 per hour.” Language in this agreement, according to LaPierre, gave him authority to file for bankruptcy on behalf of the organization. This contract and its approval by the board was a source of controversy within the NRA and was a key component of the New York Attorney General’s litigation against the organization. Docket number 2851.
  19. Trial Exhibit: 2021 Wayne LaPierre NRA Financial Disclosure Questionnaire
    • On April 7, 2021, then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre completed a financial disclosure questionnaire. In it, he disclosed that his “niece, Colleen Sterner, is an employee of the Women’s Leadership Forum,” and that he stayed on David McKenzie’s yacht on “several occasions.” LaPierre confirmed during his 2021 bankruptcy testimony that this financial disclosure was signed that very same day as he was testifying. Docket number 2948.
  20. Trial Exhibit: 2020 Wayne LaPierre NRA Financial Disclosure Questionnaire
    • Former NRA EVP Wayne LaPierre did not disclose any potential conflicts of interest on his 2020 financial disclosure questionnaire. LaPierre signed the document in January of that year. Docket number 2949.
  21. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Marion Hammer 10-Year Contract Addendum
    • In 2018, the NRA and NRA board member and Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer agreed to an addendum to her 2017 contract. This addendum stipulated that Hammer is to be paid $220,000 annually for 10 years for consultant services detailed in the 2017 contract. The contract was signed by Wayne LaPierre and Hammer herself. In 2019, Hammer told Florida state investigators that she did not have copies of her NRA contracts to show them. Docket number 2937.
  22. Trial Exhibit: 2016 NRA Employee Robert Kyle Weaver Termination Agreement 
    • This “final” agreement between the NRA and then-Director of General Operations Kyle Weaver dictates that he receive twenty six payments totaling $1,830,000 between November 2016 and January 2019. The agreement was signed by NRA CFO Woody Phillips. Docket number 2852.
  23. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Rick Tedrick Employment Termination Agreement, Non-Disparagement
    • In 2018, the NRA and Rick Tedrick came to an agreement about the terms of what a potential separation between Tedrick and the NRA would look like. The term of the agreement began upon signing, “and shall continue until [Tedrick] turns 65.” The agreement references Tedrick’s 65th birthday as the “termination date.” As of early 2024, Tedrick is presently employed by the NRA. Docket number 2748.
  24. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Woody Phillips “Independent Consulting Agreement”
    • An “Independent Consulting Agreement” for Woody Phillips, effective December 31. 2018, indicated that he would receive a “consulting fee” of $30,000 per month for his services after his departure from the NRA, in addition to $3,500/month for office space rental and expense reimbursement. Docket number 2776.
  25. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Chris Cox Employee Agreement
    • The NRA and Chris Cox entered into an employee agreement on January 1, 2019. The agreement includes a $1.2 million salary, the use of an NRA-leased vehicle, personal security, security for Cox’s family and home, reimbursement for potential legal fees, and a $5 million life insurance policy, among other things. The agreement includes a section related to “confidentiality and non-disparagement.” Docket number 2839.
  26. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Wayne LaPierre Letter To Chris Cox Re: “Suspension Notice”
    • On June 20, 2019 then-CEO Wayne LaPierre suspended former NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox’s employment. LaPierre informed Cox that he should consider himself on “administrative leave with pay.” Docket number 2899.
  27. Trial Exhibit: 2020 “NRA’s Amended Counterclaims Against Christopher Cox”
    • The NRA and former NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox entered into an employee agreement on January 1, 2019. The agreement included a $1.2 million salary, the use of an NRA-leased vehicle, personal security, security for Cox’s family and home, reimbursement for potential legal fees, and a $5 million life insurance policy, among other things. The agreement included a section related to “confidentiality and non-disparagement.” Docket number 2840.
  28. Trial Exhibit:2018 Chris Cox Email Re: Potential “Transition” to EVP
    • This March 2018 email from former NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox to an unknown individual appears to detail conditions for Cox’s potential “transition” to Executive Vice President. Cox claimed that Andrew Arulanandam had “no judgment” and that the group “need[ed] a reset in FL with Marion” Hammer. Docket number 2848.
  29. Trial Exhibit: 2021 Craig Spray “Release” Document
    • Craig Spray’s “release” document from the NRA states that he was “notified orally on January 28, 2021, that the NRA wished to make management changes,” and he was relieved of his duties as CFO. Spray and the NRA agreed that he would receive his “base salary of $510,000 per annum for 18 months.” He was also entitled to $5,965 in back pay and $69,230 in accrued vacation pay. The agreement also states that “to the extent Spray seeks coverage under NRA’s directors’ and officers’ or general liability insurance policies for any matters that arose during his employment, the NRA will not oppose such coverage.” There are also terms regarding confidentiality and non-disparagement. Docket number 2960.
  30. Trial Exhibit: 2020 Wayne LaPierre Memo Re: Employee Retention Bonuses
    • In the fall of 2020, Wayne LaPierre wrote to Carolyn Meadows, Charles Cotton, and Willes Lee in order to inform them that he intended “to pay one-time ‘retention bonuses’ in January 2021” to seven employees, with bonuses ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. These employees were: Craig Spray, John Frazer, Andrew Arulanandam, Joe DeBergalis, Doug Hamlin, Jason Ouimet, and Linda Crouch. 
  31. Trial Exhibit: NRA / Membership Marketing Partners Services Agreements 
    • This trial exhibit contains various agreements between the NRA and their vendor Membership Marketing Partners that were signed between 2011 and 2017. The exhibit contains: the original 2011 services agreement, the 2011 business case analysis sheet, a 2015 “First Amendment” to the contract, and a “Second Amendment” in 2017. Docket number 2861.
  32. Trial Exhibit: 2022 NRA / MMP Companies “Memorandum of Understanding” 
    • In 2022, NRA and Membership Marketing Partners, Concord Social, and Allegiance Creative (together the “MMP Companies”), signed a “confidential” contract that details terms between the groups for services beginning August 1, 2022 and lasting for 36 months. With regard to compensation, the contract stipulates that the NRA will pay the MMP Companies $775,000 per month. Docket number 2879.
  33. Trial Exhibit: NRA Audit Committee Reports, 2015 – 2022 
    • This 76 page exhibit contains 21 NRA audit committee reports. The reports date from January 2015 to January 2022. Docket number 3016.
  34. Trial Exhibit: Report of the Audit Committee, April 2019
    • During an April 2019 audit committee meeting, the committee retroactively approved various transactions, including payments to board members and the Brewer law firm. Docket number 2946. 
  35. Trial Exhibit: Report of the Audit Committee, September 2018
    • During the NRA audit committee’s meeting on July 30, 2018, several potential conflicts of interest were discussed. The committee conceded that “while there has been no intentional wrongdoing in these issues, there has been a misperception, shared by several directors and officers, that conflicts questionnaires need only be submitted annually.” Docket number 2985.
  36. Trial Exhibit: Transcript of March 2021 NRA Board of Directors Meeting
    • On March 28, 2021, the NRA board adopted “a Resolution authorizing and ratifying Chapter 11 reorganization” with a vote of 44 in favor, one opposed, and three abstentions. Docket number 2846.
  37. Trial Exhibit: Analysis Of Invoices From NRA Vendor Associated TV 2008 – 2017
    • In September 2017, an NRA staffer completed an analysis of invoices from NRA vendor Associated TV International (ATI) for the years 2008 to 2017. The analysis indicated that during that time, the NRA paid ATI nearly $33 million, more than double the nearly $15 million that was apparently budgeted (p.48). Docket number 2752.
  38. Trial Exhibit:Spreadsheets Detailing Entities Paid For “Advancement Consulting Services” And “EVP Consulting Services”
    • Spreadsheets within this exhibit detail individuals or entities which were paid through the NRA’s advancement division for “consulting services” from 2012 to 2018. It also contains spreadsheets related to individuals or entities which were paid through then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre’s budget for “consulting services” from 1999 to 2018. Docket number 2886.
  39. Trial Exhibit: NRA Charter Flight Spreadsheet 2015 – 2019
    • This six page spreadsheet details the NRA’s private charter travel from 2015 to 2019. The spreadsheet contains specific flight information, such as passenger details, itinerary (including stops), and total cost. Docket number 2795.
  40. Trial Exhibit: I.I. & I.S. / GS2 Travel Invoice Spreadsheet 2011 – 2019 
    • This fifteen page spreadsheet summarizes travel invoices from travel agent Gayle Stanford’s companies I.I. & I.S. and GS2 to the NRA. The total cost invoiced by Stanford between 2011 and 2019 was $17,669,336. This spreadsheet corresponds with the actual invoices produced in another exhibit. Docket number 2797.
  41. Trial Exhibit: I.I. & I.S. / GS2 Invoices and Payments 2011 – 2019
    • This 852 page exhibit contains detailed travel invoices from Gayle Stanford’s companies I.I. & I.S. and GS2 to the NRA. The invoices cover transportation arrangements from 2011 to 2019. The exhibit corresponds with the spreadsheet in another exhibit. Docket number 3118.
  42. Trial Exhibit: Summary of Wayne LaPierre’s Flight Itineraries With/Without Stops in the Bahamas 2015 to 2019
    • This chart summarizes private flights taken by then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, with a focus on whether the flights included stops in the Bahamas, and if LaPierre’s family was present on a flight and he was not. The chart reflects that there were 14 private charter itineraries that included a stop in the Bahamas. In total, there were 33 private charter flights expensed to the NRA in which Wayne LaPierre was not a passenger at all. Docket number 2796.
  43. Trial Exhibit: Spreadsheet of Wayne LaPierre’s Expense Reimbursement 2012 – 2019
    • For many years, expense reimbursement payments to then-Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre were made through the NRA’s Institute of Legislative Action. This internal accounting reflects that payments made to Wayne LaPierre for expense reimbursements total over $2.3 million between 2012 and 2019. The spreadsheet suggests that LaPierre submitted expenses to the NRA’s Institute of Legislative Action on a monthly basis, and then separately for costs as they arose. Examples of these separate expenses include: various NASCAR events, “Sean Hannity Show Appearance,” “local expenses for security team,” and one labeled “Italy.” Docket number 2900.
  44. Trial Exhibit: Tyler Schropp American Express Charges 2013 – 2018, totaling $454,842
    • In April 2019, NRA vendor Ackerman McQueen’s Bill Winkler sent an email to then-CFO Craig Spray and NRA’s Director of Advancement Tyler Schropp regarding Schropp’s expenditures on an American Express. The email contains a letter to Schropp which requests further “documentation of expenses incurred by Ackerman McQueen (AMc) and billed to the National Rifle Association (NRA).” These expenses, according to Winkler, totalled $454,842. The email contains an accounting of Schropp’s expenses on an American Express card, and reflects expenses at luxury hotels, like the Ritz Carlton, the Four Seasons, and the Beverly Hills Hotel. Docket number 2941.
  45. Trial Exhibit: October 2018 American Express Bill, Rick Tedrick Account
    • An email with a copy of the NRA’s Managing Director of Finance Rick Tedrick’s October 2018 American Express business card bill was admitted into evidence in the New York trial. The bill totaled $124,823.62. Docket number 2772.
  46. Trial Exhibit: December 2017 American Express Bill, Rick Tedrick Account
    • An email with a copy of the NRA’s Managing Director of Finance Rick Tedrick’s December 2017 American Express Business card bill was admitted into evidence in the New York trial. The bill totaled $528,487.61. Docket number 2858.
  47. Trial Exhibit: NRA Board Members Knight, Maloney, and Schneider Resignation Letter
    • In August 2019, then-NRA board members Timothy Knight, Sean Maloney, and Esther Schneider wrote a letter of resignation, proclaiming that they had tried to fulfill their duties by investigating the public allegations of impropriety within the organization but, “Instead, we have been stonewalled, accused of disloyalty, stripped of committee assignments and denied effective counsel necessary to properly discharge our responsibilities as Board members.” Docket number 2749.
  48. Trial Exhibit: 2021 Rocky Marshall Ethics Complaint Against General Council John Frazer
    • A September 2021 internal email exchange includes an Ethics Complaint against Frazer by board member Rocky Marshall. He claimed that Frazer “refused to send a copy of the Directors and Officers Insurance declaration page as requested on multiple occasions.” Docket number 2775.
  49. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Esther Schneider Email Re: “Follow-Up Questions” For The Board
    • Following the 2019 NRA convention, board member Esther Schneider wrote a four page letter to NRA Counsel Wit Davis with “follow-up questions” related to the board and NRA activity. These questions surrounded various topics, including: whistleblowers at the NRA, Marion Hammer’s compensation, the fees for the Brewer law firm, and an employee’s “hit and run” accident while in a vehicle rented by the NRA. Docket number 2780.
  50. Trial Exhibit: Rocky Marshall Letter to the Board Re: Bankruptcy / NYAG Lawsuit
    • In March 2021, following his appointment to the board, Rocky Marshall wrote to the board to introduce himself and express concerns about the state of the NRA. Docket number 2782.
  51. Trial Exhibit: 2021 Carolyn Meadows Email To The Board Re: Journey’s Independent Examiner Motion
    • In February 2021, NRA President Carolyn Meadows told board members that a motion by fellow board member Phil Journey in their bankruptcy trial contained “many outright untruths.” Meadows wrote that then-CEO Wayne LaPierre had the authority to enter the NRA into bankruptcy because of LaPierre’s new employment agreement. Meadows told the board that she was “confident” in the NRA’s “reorganization plan.” Docket number 2871.
  52. Trial Exhibit: 2020 Board Member Email Exchange Re: Phil Journey’s Board Candidacy
    • In February 2020, Marion Hammer forwarded select board members an online article by fellow board member Phil Journey, and implied that he is not trustworthy. Hammer wrote: “I couldn’t care less that about [sic] his service in the Kansas Legislature (how many politicians/legislators do you really trust?) I couldn’t care less that he’s a ‘black-robe-wearing judge’ (how many judges do you trust with your rights and your freedom?)” Board member Sandra Froman replied, writing: “Just so you all know, I happen to disagree with Marion on Phil Journey’s suitability for the board.” Docket number 2870.
  53. Trial Exhibit: 2016 Esther Schneider / Millie Hallow Text Exchange Re: Board Elections
    • A May 2016 text exchange between LaPierre aide Millie Hallow and board member Esther Schneider described a “list” that indicates how Schneider “should vote” in the board committee elections. The exchange was introduced as evidence on Day 2 of the trial. Docket number 2766.
  54. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Hallow / North, etc Email Re: WSJ Article And “Alleged Whistleblower Crap”
    • On November 30, 2018, the Wall Street Journal published an article about NRA contracts, totaling millions of dollars, that were awarded to those with ties to top NRA officials. Two days later, LaPierre aide Millie Hallow emailed a handful of NRA leaders, including Oliver North, that the article “could have been a lot worse, particularly when you consider the reporter interviews folk[s] for almost a year, and had intel on all the alleged whistleblower crap.” Docket number 2952.
  55. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Millie Hallow / Willis Lee Email Re: Dissenting Board Members
    • In a May 2019 email to LaPierre aide Millie Hallow and President Carolyn Meadows, 2nd Vice President Willes Lee wrote of board members who publicly expressed concern about NRA leadership: “‘If you shoot at the king, you better kill him.’ Wayne is still the king. Don’t forget.” Docket number 2957.
  56. Trial Exhibit: April 2019 Oliver North Statement to the NRA Board and “Crisis Management” Memo
    • Amid the leadership chaos at the 2019 NRA Annual Meeting, Oliver North wrote a statement to the board notifying them that he had not been endorsed for re-election as NRA president, and that he recently established a “crisis management committee.” The exhibit also contains a memo that North sent to the NRA’s executive committee regarding the formation of this committee. Writing that it was his “fiduciary duty” to respond to ongoing issues at the NRA, North identified seven separate objectives of the committee. Docket number 2959.
  57. Trial Exhibit:Sonya Rowling Personal Statement At 2018 Whistleblower Meeting
    • Before she became NRA CFO, Sonya Rowling served as Director of Accounting Operations. In that position in 2018, she wrote a “personal statement” to the NRA audit committee. The statement centered on Rowling’s act of whistleblowing, and her concern that her issues were going to be “explain[ed] away.” Docket number 2887.
  58. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Stanford / Hallow Email Re: Hallow, Meadows, and Beasley France Itinerary
    • An August 2018 email from travel agent Gayle Stanford contained international travel itineraries for Wayne LaPierre aide Millie Hallow, then-NRA 2nd Vice President Carolyn Meadows, and Washington Times’ Larry Beasley, and their respective partners. The itineraries cover 14 days in France. Docket number 2951.
  59. Trial Exhibit: 2007 Anonymous Letter To The NRA Audit Committee
    • The NRA’s trial in New York City revealed an anonymous 12-paragraph letter that was sent to the audit committee “prior to the April 2007 NRA annual meeting.” The letter raised concerns about financial practices within the NRA, whistleblowing procedures, travel being booked through a private travel agent, and the Frenkel Report detailing questionable expenditures by an aide to Wayne LaPierre. Many of the same concerns raised in the 2007 letter were repeated in the New York Attorney General’s suit against the organization. Docket number 3111.
  60. Trial Exhibit: 1996 NRA Board Report “Money Spent at Variance with Board Financial Policy”
    • This 1996 report alleging “the failure of management to follow the most basic of business principles” was compiled by two then-board members. The report was discussed during NRA board member Phil Journey’s testimony at trial. Docket number 2898.
  61. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Morgan Lewis Memo Re: Brewer Firm Retention
    • In March 2019, an analysis by the law firm Morgan Lewis found that the fees charged to the NRA by the outside law firm Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors were “high,” but “not unheard of.” They also found that “it may well be in the Association’s interest to obtain a full accounting of the Brewer firm’s time charges to date.” Docket number 2950.
  62. Trial Exhibit: 2019 North et al Letter to Audit Committee Re: Brewer Engagement Review
    • In March 2019, then-NRA President Oliver North, then-1st Vice President Richard Childress, and then-2nd Vice President Carolyn Meadows sent a letter to the NRA Audit Committee, requesting an independent audit of the fees of the NRA’s outside law firm, Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Docket number 2986.
  63. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Oliver North Letter to LaPierre Re: “Excessive” Brewer Law Firm Legal Fees
    • On March 31, 2019, then-NRA President Oliver North sent a letter to then-CEO Wayne LaPierre expressing concern about the “excessive” cost of the fees of the NRA’s outside law firm, Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Docket number 2936.
  64. Trial Exhibit: 2019 LaPierre Letter to North Re: North’s Questions About Brewer Bills
    • Then-CEO Wayne LaPierre wrote to former NRA President Oliver North on February 26, 2019, asking him to “kindly cease and desist” from asking further questions about the fees of the NRA’s outside law firm, Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Docket number 2939.
  65. Trial Exhibit: 2015 Tedrick / Erstling Email Re: EVP Budget “In A Vacuum”
    • In a January 2015 email, NRA Director of Finance Michael Erstling stated that he and staffer Sonya Rowling completed LaPierre’s budget “in a vacuum,” and that they “get no support/information from EVP Office.” The discussion between the two was prompted by an email from the NRA’s Andrew Arulandam related to LaPierre’s request to hire a new public affairs staffer for his office. Docket number 2756.
  66. Trial Exhibit: 2020 Rick Tedrick / Craig Spray / John Frazer Email Re: Audit Firm Refusal To Sign 2019 990
    • In October 2020, the NRA’s Managing Director of Finance Rick Tedrick informed General Counsel John Frazer and then-CFO Craig Spray that the group’s accounting firm, Aronson, was not willing “to sign the 990’s.” He explained that Aronson felt that “there are so many unknowns,” and “that they do not feel comfortable signing it.” Spray replied to the group: “You have to be kidding me.” The email chain was admitted into evidence on day four of the trial. Docket number 2771.
  67. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Craig Spray / Woody Phillips Message Exchange Re: $70,000 Check WBB Investments
    • Former CFO Craig Spray told former CFO Woody Phillips in May 2018 he was getting “a lot of push back from the team” about a check request. Spray wrote that “Rick and Sonya are freaking out,” and that “they googled the address and found” that the home at that address was owned by William Winkler, the CFO of then-longtime NRA vendor Ackerman McQueen. That same day, the NRA wrote a $70,000 check to WBB Investments in an attempt to secure a $6.5 million mansion for Wayne LaPierre in Texas. Docket number 2859.
  68. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Sonya Rowling / Emily Cummins Message Exchange Regarding “Excessive Spending” At The NRA
    • In 2018, NRA finance employee Emily Cummins wrote an email to then-staffer Sonya Rowling and claimed that “the problems with c4 excessive spending aren’t in [the Institute of Legislative Action].” Rowling acknowledged the problem and replied: “Everyone knows where the spending problem is, but that is untouchable and the real reason behind the need for control.” Docket number 2869.
  69. Trial Exhibit: 2020 Frazer / Spray / Fischer Email Re: Board Member 1st Class Travel Approvals, “Wayne Said” Approvals
    • In 2020, then-CFO Craig Spray emailed General Counsel John Frazer, Wayne LaPierre, and others on an email exchange regarding Wayne LaPierre’s approval of first class travel for board members, telling them: “There are no ‘Wayne said’ approvals at the NRA. All of you are core to our controls process and frankly I am disappointed in all of you.” Docket number 3117.
  70. Trial Exhibit:2019 John Frazer / Sonya Rowling Email Re: Vendor Contracts Being “Orally Renewed”
    • In a 2019 email to CFO Sonya Rowling about NRA contracts with vendor Associated Television International (ATI), General Counsel John Frazer said: “It’s possible [the contract] was orally renewed.” Attached to the email were contracts between NRA and ATI from 2004 and 1997. An in-house ATI invoice analysis was produced during the trial, and detailed the millions of dollars the NRA was charged by the group from 2008 to 2014. Docket number 2874.
  71. Trial Exhibit: 2017 Rick Tedrick / John Frazer Email Re: David Keene and Washington Times Payments
    • In a 2017 email chain, a handful of NRA employees discussed monthly payments made to NRA board member David Keene, and previously made monthly “payments to the Washington Times before it switched to paying David personally.” In the exchange, NRA finance employee Emily Cummins wrote that “Woody specifically mentioned the Washington Times to me on Tuesday afternoon when I asked him if there were any other ‘secret/side arrangements’ going on to get compensation to various people.” The emails were admitted into evidence on day five of the trial. Docket number 2765.
  72. Trial Exhibit: 2015 Rick Tedrick / Woody Phillips Email Re: Vendor MMP Fee Increases That “Wayne Has Approved”
    • In 2015, then-NRA CFO Woody Phillips wrote to the NRA’s Managing Director of Finance Rick Tedrick to inform him that a fee increase for NRA vendor Membership Marketing Partners was related to “the additional staff and consultants to increase web marketing.” Phillips further informed Tedrick that “Wayne has approved” the increase, apparently referring to then-NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre. Docket number 2856.
  73. Trial Exhibit: 2016 Rick Tedrick Email Re: Vendor MMP Fee Increases
    • In 2016, an NRA staff member asked the NRA’s Managing Director of Finance Rick Tedrick if he was aware of a $100,000 increase on the monthly invoices for NRA vendor Membership Marketing Partners. Tedrick informed her that he spoke to NRA CFO Woody Phillips, and was told “that Wayne agreed to this,” apparently referring to then-NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre. Docket number 2764.
  74. Trial Exhibit: 2019 Craig Spray / MMP Email Re: Justifications For Vendor MMP Fee Increases
    • This 2019 email details specific justifications for fee increases related to NRA vendors Membership Marketing Partners, Allegiance Creative Group, and Concord Social and Public Relations from December 2011 to November 2018. The “retainer and contract history” is described, as well as a history of “hiring and real estate.” Docket number 2845.
  75. Trial Exhibit: 2018 NRA Organizational Chart 
    • This copy of the National Rifle Association’s organizational chart is dated September 26, 2018. Docket number 2720.
  76. Trial Exhibit: 2017 NRA Policy Manual
    • This copy of the National Rifle Association’s policy manual is dated November 16, 2017. Docket number 2850.
  77. Trial Exhibit: NRA Employee Handbook (undated)
    • This undated copy of the NRA Employee handbook details policy related to building policy, compensation, benefits, and expense reimbursement. Docket number 2854.
  78. Trial Exhibit: 2018 Upper Management Seminar Slidedeck “Compliance and Governance Refresher”
    • This slidedeck, marked “privileged and confidential,” outlines a “Compliance and Governance Refresher” that was given to NRA upper management. The last six pages of the exhibit contain speaking notes for “Josh” and “John.” Docket number 2883
  79. Trial Exhibit: 2003 Frenkel Report Re: Millie Hallow Expenditures
    • In 2003, the NRA commissioned a report related to the use of an NRA credit card by Millie Hallow, an aide to then-NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. During this current time of legal crisis for the NRA amid allegations of financial impropriety, the 2003 report, secret until now, is yet another catalog of potentially embarrassing managerial missteps by the NRA, this time dating back 20 years. The report, dated May 12, 2003, was completed by Jacob S. Frenkel of the law firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, hence its reference as “the Frenkel Report.” Docket number 3126.