ALBANY – On Monday President Donald Trump blasted New York State’s Attorney General for launching an investigation into the national rifle association’s finances.
Trump is a long-time supporter of gun rights advocates. He called the investigation illegal in a tweet Monday.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is defending the action.
“The investigation by the attorney general is what it is,” said Cuomo. “The attorney general is independently elected and she is elected in this state to enforce the law.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office announced the probe but didn’t say who it will focus on.
“The NRA is originally chartered in this state,” said Cuomo. “It’s a not-for-profit organization so she has jurisdiction and she believes it may have been illegal activity.”
James promised in her campaign to investigate if the NRA is in compliance of non-profit organization rules.
“She is pursuing that case,” explained the governor. “The president’s accusation that it’s politically motivated is all garbage. We don’t do that in New York State.”
Last week, allegations of financial misconduct by NRA’s top leadership emerged.
At its annual meeting, President Oliver North warned of a coming crisis at the organization and said he won’t run for re-election.
Despite the internal turmoil, longtime CEO Wayne Lapierre was unanimously re-elected by the NRA’s board of directors.
An attorney for the NRA said it will cooperate with the investigation into its finances.
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