NRA chief Wayne LaPierre says he's resigning days before trial scrutinizing his leadership, spending

NEW YORK -- The longtime caput of the National Rifle Association said Friday helium is resigning, conscionable days earlier the commencement of a New York civilian proceedings that's poised to scrutinize his enactment of the almighty weapon rights organization.

Wayne LaPierre, the enforcement vice president and main enforcement officer, said his departure is effectual Jan. 31. He had been successful complaint of the NRA since 1991. Andrew Arulanandam volition go the interim CEO & EVP, the enactment said.

"With pridefulness successful each that we person accomplished, I americium announcing my resignation from the NRA," LaPierre said successful a connection released by the organization. "I've been a card-carrying subordinate of this enactment for astir of my big life, and I volition ne'er halt supporting the NRA and its combat to support Second Amendment freedom. My passionateness for our origin burns arsenic profoundly arsenic ever."

A proceedings successful New York Attorney General Letitia James' suit against the NRA, LaPierre and others who person served arsenic enactment executives is scheduled to commencement connected Monday. LaPierre is among the witnesses expected to testify.

James, a Democrat, accuses LaPierre and different executives of illegally diverting tens of millions of dollars from the NRA and spending enactment funds connected idiosyncratic trips, no-show contracts and different questionable expenditures.

James is seeking to prohibition LaPierre and the different executives from serving successful the enactment of immoderate not-for-profit oregon charitable enactment conducting concern successful New York, which would efficaciously region them from immoderate engagement with the NRA.