Powerful NRA chief Wayne LaPierre resigns ahead of graft trial

Wayne LaPierre resigned as leader of the National Rifle Association on Friday, ending a long career that saw it became one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington, only to have its prestige tarnished by graft accusations and a bankruptcy filing.

LaPierre, 74, chief executive since 1991, steps down just as New York state Attorney General Letitia James brings a corruption trial against the NRA, due to begin in state Supreme Court on Monday.

James had been seeking LaPierre’s removal from office, but he is still among three individual defendants in the case and is expected to testify.