May 8, 2024 – Law360 reports that Brewer client the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) responded to a filing by the New York Attorney General (NYAG) in which she asked a New York judge not to "reverse" a Manhattan jury's verdict. The jury verdict was entered in the NYAG vs. NRA lawsuit on February 23, 2024.
NRA lawyer William A. Brewer III told the publication, "In her response to the NRA's motion for judgement post-trial, the NYAG advances a number of novel legal theories to save the claims she presented at trial ... The NYAG's theories have no grounding in existing law. We look forward to responding."
The report states, "In February, jurors found that [former NRA Executive Vice President Wayne] LaPierre, who resigned on the eve of trial, as well as general counsel John Frazer and retired Chief Financial Officer Wilson 'Woody' Phillips, breached their fiduciary duties. Frazer was additionally held responsible for the false filings and Phillips for the related-party transactions. The verdict requires LaPierre to repay $4.4 million in ill-gotten funds to the NRA for his breaches, while Phillips must pay back $2 million."
A second phase of the proceedings is scheduled to begin in July – a bench trial before Justice Joel M. Cohen, in which the judge is expected to rule on any final remedies against defendants. In the final analysis, individual defendants could face financial awards payable to the NRA. No money damages will be awarded against the Association.
Read the report here.