Letitia James, a Democrat and chief legal officer in the state of New York, does not believe that the NRA (National Rifle Association) can continue to operate as a non-profit organization because widespread corruption has been going on for decades, writes the New York Times.

Accused of breaking the law

According to the lawsuit, an investigation of the business has shown that the NRA violated several laws by the leadership within the organization received unlawful funds and charged excessive salaries, which cost the organization 64 million dollars in three years. 

James is therefore urging New York's Supreme Court to remove CEO Wayne LaPierre, who she believes has taken money from the organization's coffers to fund its exclusive lifestyle.

The investigation also testifies to fraud and lack of control and surveillance.

"The NRA's influence has been so great that the organization has not been scrutinized for decades while top executives have stuffed millions into their own pockets," James said in a statement on Thursday.

"Unprofessional and inappropriate"

Representatives of the NRA have previously called Letitia James "unprofessional and inappropriate" after she described the group as a terrorist organization during her 2018 campaign and promised to investigate it.

- You point out your enemies and then you figure out a way to use the power you have to destroy them. That is not right, said William A Brewer, a lawyer for the NRA, in an interview in 2019.

The NRA is headquartered outside of Washington DC, but is registered in New York.