Four members of the NRA board of directors have asked for an independent investigation of the gun rights organization to help dispel the “haze of conjecture” they say is swirling around the association. The letter was provided to TTAG by someone within the NRA sphere who is familiar with the situation.
Four board members, Robert Brown, Sean Maloney, Tim Knight and Esther Schneider, sent the letter below to NRA President Carolyn Meadows, NRA Secretary John Frazier and the rest of the 76-member board.
July 22, 2019
President Carolyn Meadows
The National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030Secretary John Frazier
The National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030The National Rifle Association of America Board of Directors
The National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030Friends and Patriots of the NRA
RE: Independent investigations
Dear Folks,
Continued leaks, accusations, and counter accusations have left a haze of conjecture surrounding our Association. It is our duty as a duly elected Board of Directors to dispel this cloud, right the Association’s path and restore the trust of our members.
Because of our dedication and loyalty to the NRA, the Answer and Counterclaim filed on behalf of Oliver North, in the case of National Rifle Association v. Oliver North, compels us as Board Members – legally bound by our fiduciary duty of care – to act. To ensure that we are fully and accurately informed about the financial health of the Association, we must make the following requests.
First, that the NRA engage outside professionals to conduct an independent, internal investigation and confidential audit into the allegations of financial misconduct. Second, that the NRA conduct an outside, independent review of the millions of dollars in payments to Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors for legal fees. Third, pursuant to NRA Bylaw Article IV, Section 2, Board of Directors, Powers and Duties, that an Outside Independent Special Committee be formed, tasked with investigating and addressing the problems identified above, and required to report its findings and recommendations to the entire Board of Directors.
With this degree of scrutiny and transparency, the Board can fulfill our legal obligations, remove all doubt regarding our Association’s direction, and allow us to return to our mission of protecting our Second Amendment.
Yours for freedom,
/S/ Sean Maloney
/S/ Timothy Knight
/S/ Esther Schneider
The four want an independent look at allegations of financial misconduct by Wayne LaPierre and others, as well as an audit of the tens of millions of dollars paid to attorney William Brewer and his law firm.
This tracks with the request for a similar investigation that was made by former NRA president Oliver North and former First Vice President Richard Childress in a letter to the board on April, 18 2019 (read the full nine-page letter here).
The four board members also want an independent outside committee appointed to conduct the investigation, with all findings of the committee provided to board members “to ensure that we are fully and accurately informed about the financial health of the Association.”
As the Washington Free Beacon‘s Stephen Gutowski tweeted, NRA officers have responded to the request with the following statement.
NRA leadership has responded to the letter from the 4 board members. The defend payments made to the Brewer law firm and labeled the letter “a contrived controversy being recycled by those who supported Col. North…” pic.twitter.com/TkGEOEjbvx
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) July 23, 2019
Translation: don’t look for the NRA to appoint any independent investigator any time soon.