Washington, D.C

DC attorney general blasts NRA Foundation: “Unchecked piggy bank”

Published

7 months ago

April 18, 2024

DC attorney general blasts NRA Foundation: “Unchecked piggy bank”

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has averted facing another civil trial after reaching a settlement with Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who criticized the group’s charitable branch as an “unchecked piggy bank.”

Schwalb’s office sued the NRA and its charity, the NRA Foundation, for allegedly misusing millions of tax-deductible donations to compensate for the organization’s waning funds. Trial for the suit was scheduled to begin on April 29, roughly two months after a New York jury found the NRA and its former CEO liable for financial misconduct in a separate civil case.

“Donors are entitled to know that their charitable contributions will be used in furtherance of a nonprofit organization’s stated charitable mission,” Schwalb, a Democrat, said in a statement following Wednesday’s settlement.

A guest looks at a rifle at the Palmetto State Armory booth during the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 16, 2023. The NRA…

Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

“The NRA Foundation—the charitable arm of the NRA—violated this sacred public trust, allowing the NRA to use them as an unchecked piggy bank,” the attorney general continued. “Caving to pressure from the NRA, the Foundation diverted millions of dollars to the NRA in grants and risky loans that were repaid only after [the attorney general’s office] filed its lawsuit.”

Former NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre was found liable of misspending millions of the organization’s money in February after facing a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James. Prosecutors accused LaPierre of using the money for expensive vacations and lavish travel means.

The jury in the case also found that the NRA had failed to properly manage its assets and that it had misrepresented information in tax filings. The gun rights group was also found liable for violating whistleblower protections.

LaPierre was ordered to pay $5.4 million in damages in connection to the case. The NRA faces $4.4 million in penalties.

The settlement on Wednesday requires a thorough oversight of the NRA Foundation’s operations and extensive changes within the group to “ensure that the Foundation operates independently from the NRA and fully complies” with D.C. nonprofit laws, according to Schwalb’s office.

In a statement to the New York Times on Wednesday, the NRA characterized its settlement as a victory, claiming that it had proven that all of the funds taken from its foundation “were applied exclusively in furtherance of its charitable programs and that there was no misuse.”

NRA President Charles Cotton also called Schwalb’s lawsuit a “political attack.” Newsweek reached out viaemail to the organization’s press office for more information late Wednesday evening.

Conditions of the settlement require the NRA Foundation to conduct annual nonprofit compliance training and establish an audit committee “to ensure Foundation’s financial affairs are in order and work with an external auditor,” read Schwalb’s release. Under D.C. law, violations of the district’s nonprofit statute do not authorize the collection of penalties.

“Tax-exempt nonprofits are a form of public trust—abusing that trust as the NRA did violates both the public interest and District law,” the district attorney continued in his statement. “Today’s outcome builds on our longstanding commitment to safeguarding nonprofit donors’ money and ensuring that all nonprofits operating in the District of Columbia follow the law.”

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Washington, D.C

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree stopped in Iowa on it’s journey to D.C.

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree stopped in Iowa on it’s journey to D.C.

ALTOONA, Iowa (KCCI) – The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree visited the Hawkeye State on it’s trek east to Washington D.C, KCCI reported.

The tree was available for viewing at Altoona’s Bass Pro Shop.

The tree was originally harvested in Alaska and reached the lower 48 states about a week and a half ago. It’s stopped at other places in addition to Altoona on the 4,000 mile journey.

Children in Alaska contributed to the tree.

For the last 54 years one of the 154 national forests in the country have provided a tree to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holidays.

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Washington, D.C

Hotels and Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Unveil Special Offers for Visitors Celebrating the 47th President on January 20, 2025 – Travel And Tour World

Published

9 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Hotels and Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Unveil Special Offers for Visitors Celebrating the 47th President on January 20, 2025 – Travel And Tour World

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Washington, D.C

Dogs attack about 2 people in DC every day. Why cases can be hard to investigate

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Press Room

Dogs attack about 2 people in DC every day. Why cases can be hard to investigate

Carlizze Brashears, age 11, is on the mend. He’s back in school but, speaking only to News4, his grandmother said he still needs painful rabies shots.

He was riding a bike in an alley in Northeast D.C. when two dogs viciously attacked him.

Every day in the District, an average of two people are bitten by dogs.

Since October 2023, the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) has documented 855 cases of dogs biting people. Many of the bites are minor, but some are so vicious the owners voluntarily surrender the dogs, or the animals are seized. It’s a process investigators say comes with a lot of red tape.

An investigation into the dogs that bit Carlizze is still open, said Kate Meghji, chief operating officer of HRA, which investigates dog attacks in D.C.

“We are following some leads but we have not located the dogs yet,” she said.

Some dog attack cases involve dogs biting their owners or going after delivery drivers and postal employees. In some cases, the attacks are random and can be difficult to investigate, she said.

“Frequently it’s a lost cause because by the time we get there, the animal may not be there, and if we cannot identify who the animal is or who the owner is, it makes it really challenging,” Meghji said.

Over the past year, 87 dogs were surrendered and euthanized. Nine were seized by investigators. Of those, four were euthanized.

Every year on average, as many as 25 to 40 dogs are labeled dangerous, HRA said.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, all dog bite investigations in D.C. will be handled by the Brandywine Valley SPCA. HRA said it’s getting out of the business of investigating dangerous dogs in part because of the legal challenges in seizing and euthanizing those that have been deemed a threat to animals or people. The Department of Health makes the final decision.

“Between our recommendation to the District and when we get approval for euthanasia is very inconsistent,” Meghji said.

That means HRA has to care for dangerous dogs while they wait for the health department.

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Three people were bitten by three dogs running loose on 13th Street SE last May. They all needed medical attention.

“We impounded and held one of the dogs when it was caught, and the other two in the home were surrendered by the owner and humanely euthanized due to their involvement in the incident,” Meghji said.

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