Former top NRA lobbyist Chris Cox denied recently that he used more than $1 million in donor dollars for personal benefit.
In a 2019 tax document filed last month, the organization that used to pay him roughly $1.5 million per year said it “became aware” that Cox improperly used funds to “pay personal expenses charged on his personal credit card, amounting to unauthorized interest-free advances to himself.”
Cox, who headed the lobbying arm of the organization, NRA-ILA, was also accused of misusing funds for “personal and family travel, business trips utilizing unapproved charter or first class travel, tickets to sporting/entertainment events, and meals and hotel expenses which were not approved by the NRA.”
NRA attorney William A. Brewer III told Rolling Stone that the gun lobby is now “pursuing reimbursement from Mr. Cox for lavishing himself with benefits to which it believes he was not entitled.”
“Mr. Cox regularly indulged in luxury hotel stays, private flights, and tickets to sporting events – all without approval and all at the expense of NRA members,” said Brewer.
Brewer, who has been paid handsomely by NRA — a reported $54 million over the past two years — said getting Cox to pony up for the excess benefits he received during his tenure demonstrates the organization’s “commitment to good governance.”
SEE ALSO: NRA Admits Execs Misused Donor Dollars, Settles Carry Guard Lawsuit in New York for $2.5 Million
Via his attorney, Thomas M. Buchanan, Cox denied any wrongdoing.
“The statements in the NRA’s 2019 Form 990 suggesting that Chris Cox was improperly reimbursed for personal expenses are false,” Buchanan told Rolling Stone.
“Most of the expenses referenced in the Form 990 relate to season tickets for local sports teams that the NRA used for over 20 years to promote the NRA with political allies, vendors, members, and donors,” Buchanan continued. “Mr. Cox’s travel—which at times required heightened security arrangements—was likewise approved through the appropriate channels and was never questioned during his 24-years at the NRA.”
As GunsAmerica reported last week, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre was also listed in the tax filing as someone who received “excess benefits” over the years.
However, NRA claims that LaPierre has “corrected” the imbalance, cutting a check back to the organization for $300,000 to pay for unauthorized travel expenses from 2015-2019.
Just give to GOA and the 2nd Amendment Foundation and let the NRA get their house in order. This fight is about to get real, and we can’t afford to pull back now. And tell any of the newly-armed Americans you know that they need to contribute as well. We need good lawyers now,not lobbyists who feed swamp critters. Those days are gone forever. The Constitution is on our side on this, and we are gradually losing the conservative judges that will fairly hear our cases and issue injunctions to stop the coming tyranny. We have a 6-3 conservative Supreme court right now. It may never again be this conservative, as we lose Alito and Thomas.
Have you vetted GOA co-founder and executive director Larry Pratt? Are you sure that all Pratt’s travel vouchers are in order? Are you sure the GOA has NOT under reported it’s annual revenue for many decades? Do you support Pratt’s outspoken views on religion? Do you feel comfortable with Pratt’s associations with extremists groups like the KKK? Is it OK with you that Pratt goes over seas and offers advise to a para-military group on one side of a sectarian struggle that has been going on for hundreds of years? Is GOA’s “house in order”? These controversial issues are NOT something I made up and can be confirmed. Of course accusations are NOT ever the whole story. Too bad many people here forget that rule.
I have recently become a life time member of the SAF and over the first few months after paying $150.00 fee II have gotten a small membership package a raffle promotion and another bill for $150.00. Hardly makes me feel like I found something special.
I question the motives of the constant negative coverage of the NRA that pops up here week after week. To my suspicious, fighting for the 2A is secondary to luring dedicated members away from the NRA.
The NRA needs new leadership, paying for advise/counsel at the tune of 54 million for two years is irresponsible, I don’t care what the going rate is in Washington DC. My certification as a range safety officer by the NRA has no weight whatsoever when being considered for employment, my safety hunter’s course is not valid in some states for issuing of a hunting license. It used to be that the NRA table at gun shows would be packed and difficult to sign up, not anymore. The NRA board needs to listen to the members, grow a pair and elect new leadership for renewed credibility.
“Brewer, who has been paid handsomely by NRA — a reported $54 million over the past two years”
WTF? The NRA is paying an attorney 27 million dollars a year? It seems a tad high don’t you think?
The NRA needs a complete gutting and revamping.
Will Van Sant pounds out articles for a paper called “the Trace” constantly targeting the NRA. In this most recent article he claims that Brewer’s LAW FIRM has been paid $54 million over the last two years. Why reserve judgement on such a reputable source as “the Trace” and Will Vann Sant?
The dirty tricks from the dirty dogs that Cox and North exposed know no bounds. Their greed and corruption was exposed and the organization is on the brink of being usurped by an anti-gun AG. Do they care about the dedication of millions of members? Do they care about their 149 years of history? Do they care about the 2nd? Nope. They just care about ruining the reputation of a good man who brought their sins to light.
Scalded dogs biting everyone in reach. Dirty, rotten scalded dogs.
After many many years as a supporter of NRA I will never give them another dime!! Rotten LaPiere has lined
His pockets for years.
they are trying to clean up the multi year robbing of the piggy bank by the insiders to save the organization from being shut down by NY’s DA… I hope they make it, it would be a shame for it to disappear because of the greed of some.
My wife and I have been life members of the NRA for over 10 years. We are embarrassed by the corruption in the organization. I know Lt. Col. Oliver North to be a man of principle. He became “persona non grata” there when he started pointing out some ethical issues. The NRA was noticeably absent during the 2020 Presidential race and again now in the Georgia US Senate runoff’s. All our money is now going to Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights. They do more with less and have, so far, avoided the stench of a private “deep state.”
The NRA is corrupt. Just like tRump and his cronies. We maybe I should just say just like all politicians. Believe it or not this country is going to turnout to be just as bad as China or Russia. That is if it isn’t already. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Buckle up it’s going to be a bumpy ride from here on out. Way to go sheeple.
Hey Ron fuck off commie
Can’t donate to NRA until this mess gets cleared up. SAF and others get all my donations now.
What a mess the NRA has become….where is the BOD? Who’s providing oversight and accountability? Why does it take years for the CFO to find fraud?