May 12, 2019

NRA calls documents leak on its finances "troubling and pathetic"

Photos of NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and former NRA president Oliver North. Photo: Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Leaked NRA documents verified by the Wall Street Journal and The Daily Beast Saturday allegedly show the gun rights group is facing serious spending issues.

Details: The documents, which were posted online anonymously and appear to be written by the NRA's former president, Oliver North, allege NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre expensed $39,000 in clothes in 1 day and $18,300 for a car and driver. They also allege the group spent $24 million in legal bills that "pose an existential threat" to its "financial stability" — a claim the NRA denied to The Daily Beast.

What they're saying: NRA president Carolyn Meadows said in a statement, the "entire board is fully aware of these issues. We have full confidence in Wayne LaPierre." She added, it's "troubling and pathetic that some people would resort to leaking information to advance their agendas."

Why it matters: The allegations come as the New York attorney general's office is investigating the NRA's tax-exempt status. North, who declined to seek a second term last month following internal power struggles, wrote in a memo that the allegations "suggest financial impropriety" and he would form a crisis management committee to examine those and other matters, according to the WSJ.

Go deeper

Dan Primack

Serological coronavirus testing could be key to economic reopening

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

America's economy won't reopen anytime soon, despite frantic CEO whispers, but a glimmer of hope may be emerging in the form of serological testing.

Why it matters: Serologic tests aren't to determine whether or not you're infected with coronavirus. They are to determine if you have potential immunity that could allow you to safely return to work.

Go deeper21 mins ago - Economy & Business

Ina Fried

Government tech struggles to dole out coronavirus stimulus cash

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Tech challenges are hampering federal and state government efforts to get funds from the $2 trillion coronavirus relief law into the hands of newly unemployed workers and struggling small businesses who need it.

Why it matters: Many businesses and individuals need the money now for essentials, including meeting payroll and paying rent.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Technology

Rebecca Falconer, Orion Rummler, Marisa Fernandez

U.S. coronavirus updates: Death toll passes 9,600

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

Recorded deaths from the novel coronavirus surpassed 9,600 in the U.S. on Monday, per Johns Hopkins data. More than 1,000 people in the U.S. have died of coronavirus-related conditions each day since April 1.

Why it matters: U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said on Sunday the coming week will be "the hardest and saddest week of most Americans' lives" — calling it our "our Pearl Harbor, our 9/11 moment."

Go deeperUpdated 2 hours ago - Health