Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine has launched an investigation into the National Rifle Association and the NRA Foundation, Inc.
In a statement Friday, Racine said he will look into all “financial records, payments to vendors, and payments to officers and directors” associated with the NRA and its charitable foundation. Subpoenas for the records were also issued as part of the investigation.
The announcement by Racine on Friday marks the second state-level investigation into the NRA over its nonprofit status. New York Attorney General Letitia James began an investigation in the NRA’s nonprofit status in April, just before the resignation of NRA President Oliver North.
Racine explained the investigation is being conducted because “protecting charitable organizations and their assets in the District” was the responsibility of the office of the attorney general. He further stated that they “can bring court actions to dissolve, or place in receivership, a nonprofit corporation that misuses funds or acts contrary to its nonprofit purposes.”
William A. Brewer III, an attorney for the NRA, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner, “The NRA will cooperate with any appropriate inquiry into its finances. The NRA has full confidence in its accounting practices and commitment to good governance. The Association’s financials are audited and its tax filings are verified by one of the most reputable firms in the world. Internally, the Association has an appropriate conflict of interest policy, which provides that all potential conflicts are reviewed and scrutinized by the Audit Committee. The NRA is committed to utilizing best practices in the areas of accounting and governance.”
