NRA Won’t Cooperate with Congressional Investigation, May Be Blocking its PR Firm from Cooperating, Too

The NRA is refusing to cooperate with Senate Finance Committee Democrats’ investigation into “allegations of self-dealing and whether the organization should maintain its 501(c)(4) nonprofit status,” and may be blocking its public relations firm, Ackerman McQueen, from cooperating with a request for documents from Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), according to a joint statement from the Senators.

On May 3, the Senators sent letters to NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, former NRA President Oliver North, and Ackerman McQueen, requesting financial documents. The letters each requested a response by no later than May 16.

In a joint statement released yesterday, Sens. Wyden, Menendez and Whitehouse said:

“The NRA’s legal problems are mounting and potentially threatening its tax-exempt status. Its largest vendor, Ackerman McQueen, has indicated that it is willing to cooperate with investigations, if the NRA will permit it to do so. The NRA ought to allow its longtime vendor to turn over requested documents. We are dismayed by the lack of cooperation from the NRA. Attempting to thwart the cooperation of other organizations is outrageous and unacceptable.”

The Senators also released letter responses from the NRA and from Ackerman McQueen. In its response, Ackerman McQueen specifically indicated it has asked the “NRA for permission to produce materials to the Senate” and it is “ awaiting” the NRA’s response.