A controversial public fight within the National Rifle Association broke out Saturday with the organization's president, retired Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver North, who announced that he would not be coming back for a second term.
North had plans to make an appearance at the National Convention of the organization in Indianapolis this weekend, but instead of attending, Richard Childress, one of the current vice presidents of the NRA, read a letter on his behalf.
"Please note that I was hoping to be with you today as Acting President approved for reelection." It is now reported that this will not happen, "read Childress in a room. of conference filled with members of the ARN. "I have been on the NRA Board of Directors for over two decades, it has been a great privilege to serve your President this year."
North's departure comes in a fierce battle with Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's long-time president and CEO and spiritual leader. North would have asked LaPierre to resign from his post earlier this week, with the organization facing challenges related to fundraising and its status of non-profit organizations, reported New York Times.
Organizational spending for the 2016 elections, including the $ 36 million to help Trump, prompted regulators of the New York State, based on its charter, to threaten the state of affairs. investigate his status as a non-profit organization.
North told the organization's management that he had created a committee to investigate any financial irregularities committed by the organization, the Times reported. North also sent the council a letter containing allegations that LePierre had charged a seller more than $ 200,000 for wardrobe purchases, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In response, LePierre sent a letter to the NRA's board of directors alleging that he was extorted and pressured by North, who threatened to disclose "damaging" information about him. He was not resigning, according to the newspaper. LaPierre said he refused and called council members to "see this for what it is: a threat designed to intimidate and divide us."
The dispute between the NRA's two titans was triggered in part after the organization filed a lawsuit against advertising firm Ackerman McQueen, alleging that the agency was not transparent with the way in which it used the media. NRA funds, according to the newspaper. The NRA paid $ 42.6 million to Ackerman McQueen in 2017, making it the largest supplier of the group, the newspaper reported.
The lawsuit is also related to an impending investigation by New York State regulators seeking to re-examine ANR's tax-exempt status as an object to non-profit.
North, who accepted an "employee position" with Ackerman McQueen, said the complaint had been filed without notice to the board, according to the letter read by Childress.
LaPierre alleged that North had "contractual and financial loyalties" to Ackerman McQueen and thus protected them, according to the Journal.
North, a central figure in the Iran-Contra scandal, was chosen last year to be the president of the NRA and his term will end on Monday.
The 76-member NRA Board will face urgent decisions at its Monday meeting.
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Trump and Pence attend the NRA Annual Meeting
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US President Donald Trump fists as he addresses the convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018 REUTERS / Carlos Barria
US Vice President Mike Pence (right) and Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA, have been cheering on the scene at a National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas on May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
A page of notes is visible in the hands of US President Donald Trump while he is delivering a keynote address at a National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas, United States on May 4 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
A man is aiming for a Taurus revolver at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Adrees Latif
US President Donald Trump welcomes ANR Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and Donald Trump Jr. to the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas, USA, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Carlos Barria
US President Donald Trump gestures before speaking at a convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas on May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
Participants sing the national anthem at a convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
Lt. Col. Oliver North, retired from the United States Marine Corps, speaks at the National Rifle Association (NRA-ILA) Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum at of the NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, United States, Friday, May 4, 2018. President Donald Trump ½ presented a strong sign of support to the National Rifle Association at its annual meeting on Friday, then firearms advocates gather in Florida high school shootings. Photographer: Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images
US President Donald Trump speaks at the NRA Annual Convention on May 4, 2018 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (The photo credit should correspond to NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump speaks at a convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas on May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
US Vice President Mike Pence, left, speaks at the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Leadership Forum at the annual meeting of the NRA in Dallas, Texas, United States on Friday, May 4, 2018. President Donald Trump ½ presented a strong sign of support to the National Rifle Association at its annual meeting on Friday, while Firearms advocates band together following the shooting at a Florida high school. Photographer: Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images
US President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association's (NRA-ILA) Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum at the NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, United States, Friday, May 4, 2018. Trump has presented a strong sign of support to the National Rifle Association at its annual meeting Friday, as gun rights advocates, have banded together as a result of mass shooting at a Florida high school. Photographer: Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images
Participants walk in front of a sign at the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, USA, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Adrees Latif
US President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Carlos Barria
NRA executive vice-president Wayne LaPierre and Donald Trump Jr. attend the convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Carlos Barria
US President Donald Trump (left) is applauded by NRA Executive Director Chris Cox and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre (right) after speaking at of a convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Lucas Jackson
People listen to US President Donald Trump deliver a speech at the convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas, Texas, United States, May 4, 2018. REUTERS / Carlos Barria
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