Court Orders Attorney General James’ Lawsuit Against NRA to Continue in Manhattan Court

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today applauded a court order in her lawsuit against the National Rifle Association (NRA), when Judge Joel Cohen of the New York County State Supreme Court ruled in her favor and ordered that the case be permitted to continue in a Manhattan court, and not be moved to an Albany court or dismissed outright. After the Office of the Attorney General filed the proceeding against the largest and most influential pro-gun organization in the nation last year, the NRA filed motions to dismiss the complaint in its entirety, stay the action, and change the venue to an Albany court. Today, Judge Cohen denied all motions made by the NRA.

“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,” said Attorney General James. “We thank the court for allowing our case to move forward and look forward to holding the NRA accountable.”

Additionally, Judge Cohen denied all other procedural actions the NRA attempted to utilize to stay or dismiss Attorney General James’ lawsuit.

In August, Attorney General James filed a lawsuit against the NRA, Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, former Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, former Chief of Staff and the Executive Director of General Operations Joshua Powell, and Corporate Secretary and General Counsel John Frazer for failing to manage the NRA’s funds; failing to follow numerous state and federal laws, as well as the NRA’s own bylaws and policies; and contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years for the NRA.