New York Attorney General Letitia James has urged a state court to toss the National Rifle Association's claims that her attempts to disband the gun rights group are unconstitutional, Reuters reported. James on Thursday evening filed a motion to dismiss the NRA’s counterclaims in litigation she brought last summer accusing the organization of financial misconduct, including diverting millions of dollars in charitable funds for the personal benefit of NRA executives and associates. Her lawsuit, proceeding in Manhattan state court, aims to dissolve the organization or, in the alternative, remove its leadership. The NRA responded with counterclaims accusing James of violating its right to free speech and “weaponizing” her powers to pursue a “blatant and malicious retaliation campaign” against the group because she is politically opposed to its mission. The NRA also attempted to protect itself through a chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, but the judge overseeing that case threw it out in May, finding that it was not filed in good faith.
