NRA reelects embattled leader Wayne LaPierre - U.S.

The National Rifle Association's board unanimously reelected Wayne LaPierre as its chief executive officer and replaced President Oliver North amid an eruption of public squabbling and a probe into the gun-rights group's nonprofit status. The vote came Monday, following a weekend of drama in the group's highest ranks, including barb trading between LaPierre and North over allegations that LaPierre had engaged in self-dealing. The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed it is investigating the NRA's nonprofit status after the New Yorker published the allegations against LaPierre. North was replaced on Monday by Carolyn Meadows, who had served as the second vice president of the NRA and as vice president of the NRA Foundation board. The vote, which was held at the NRA annual meeting in Indiana, followed a battle in which LaPierre and North slung allegations of wrongdoing at each other over the financial relationship between the NRA and its advertising firm, Ackerman McQueen Inc. The NRA sued the firm this month over billing issues. The lawsuit is "frivolous, inaccurate and intended to cause harm to the reputation of our company," Ackerman McQueen said in a statement. "We will defend our position and performance aggressively and look forward to continuing to serve the NRA's membership." In a letter sent to NRA board members, LaPierre accused North of extortion, claiming he had threatened to send an embarrassing letter to the board. "I believe the purpose of the letter was to humiliate me, discredit our association, and raise appearances of impropriety that hurt our members and the Second Amendment," LaPierre wrote. "The letter would contain a devastating account of our financial status, sexual harassment charges against a staff member, accusations of wardrobe expenses and excessive staff travel expenses." North did send a letter to the board's executive

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