A former director of the National Rifle Association (NRA) has settled a civil lawsuit for fraud and abuse with the New York State Attorney General's Office, ABC News reported.

Former operations manager Joshua Powell has reached a settlement on civil fraud and abuse charges. ABC News. The development follows NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre's announcement of his resignation effective January 31, citing health reasons, just ahead of a high-stakes trial.

As part of the settlement, Powell admitted to breaching his duties of care, loyalty and obedience to the NRA, the newspaper reported. He agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and be permanently barred from holding any nonprofit board position. In addition, Mr. Powell has promised to testify against Mr. LaPierre and other parties at a future trial.

Former National Rifle Association Operations Director Joshua Powell has settled a civil fraud and abuse lawsuit brought by the New York State Attorney General's Office. https://t.co/9Shnc4fGFS

— ABC News (@ABC) January 6, 2024

Powell's tenure at the NRA ran from 2016 to January 2020, and ended after he admitted to gross misconduct. The settlement says Powell mismanaged the organization's charitable assets by diverting them to his personal use and benefiting his family, in violation of his fiduciary duties, ABC News noted. (Related: Sports shooting celebrity Julie Golob resigns from NRA board)

“Joshua Powell's admission of wrongdoing and Wayne LaPierre's resignation confirm what we have been saying for years: The NRA and its leaders are financially corrupt,” said New York Attorney General. Letitia James said in Friday's newspaper. statement.

The NRA came under increased legal scrutiny after an unsuccessful attempt to file for bankruptcy in 2021 was rejected by a federal judge for lack of integrity. In his lawsuit, James is seeking the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the NRA's financial activities, according to ABC News.