Letter to Wayne LaPierre, Chief Executive and Executive Vice President at the National Rifle Association of America - Schneider Requests Documents from Nra on Allegations of Wrongdoing

Letter

Dear Mr. LaPierre,

As a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, I take very seriously the Committee's oversight role of our nation's federal tax laws and my responsibility in this process. It is with this duty in mind that I am requesting the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) make public documents that can help determine if wrongdoing by the NRA has occurred and whether these activities warrant reconsideration of the NRA's tax-exempt status as an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

As I am sure you are aware, the allegations against the NRA reported in The New Yorker on April 17, 2019, include instances of egregious self-dealing, deceptive billing practices, and preferences in contracting.[1] Additional reporting by The Wall Street Journal paints a disturbing picture of the internal struggle between NRA leadership, as well as its dispute with Ackerman McQueen Inc., and refers to various documents detailing possible improper operating practices. [2] And just two weeks ago, The Washington Post published an investigatory piece outlining questionable business dealings between NRA Board members and the NRA, which suggests the possibility of private inurement, which as you know, violates Section 501(c)(4) of the IRC.[3]

The American public deserves to know whether your tax-exempt organization is operating according to its intended social welfare purpose. Therefore, I respectfully request you provide my office the following information by Tuesday, July 9, 2019:

Clarify the details around the "Crisis Management Committee" announced by former Board President Lt. Col. North, including if/when this Committee met, its membership, any documents it produced, or the reason(s) this committee did not perform any work.[4]

Any correspondence from Lt. Col. North from 2019 in which he raised issues surrounding potential conflicts of interest, vendor arrangements, outside income, allegations of excessive compensation, or any issues related to the NRA Audit Committee.

Any correspondence, or other documentation, relating to your allegation that Lt. Col. North and NRA Board member Dan Boren approached you, as you described, "styled, in the parlance of extortionists", seeking to force your resignation and for preferential treatment for the NRA's vendor Ackerman McQueen.[5] This request would include, but is not limited to, any documents or text messages to/from Christopher Cox.[6] Additionally, I ask that you confirm whether you reported this purported extortion attempt to any local, state, or federal law enforcement authority.

Any documents, including correspondence, memorandums or reports, created from June-September 2018 for the NRA Audit Committee, NRA management, or any agent of the NRA relating to potential conflicts of interest, vendor arrangements, outside income, allegations of excessive compensation, or any issues to be discussed by the NRA Audit Committee.[7]

For the period 2016 to present, any minutes, notes, or resolutions from Board of Directors meetings, including the Audit Committee, where related-party transactions or potential conflicts of interest were discussed.

Any audits, investigations, or reviews conducted by the NRA, or its agents, relating to potential conflicts of interest, vendor arrangements, outside income, or allegations of excessive compensation, including any supporting or conclusory materials related to the aforementioned documents.[8]

Explain how invoices from Ackerman McQueen were received, processed, verified, and, if applicable, audited from 2016 to present. If there was a change to that process during this time period, please explain the nature of that change. In addition, please provide a copy of the Services Agreement between Ackerman McQueen and the NRA.

Explain the process in place for how the NRA Foundation decides to make transfers to the NRA, including the process for determining the amount of such grants or transfers. For the period 2016 to present, please provide any minutes, notes, or resolutions from the NRA Foundation where such grants or transfers were discussed.

I appreciate your timely consideration of my request and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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