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The second phase of\u00a0the civil trial against<\/a>\u00a0the National Rifle Association and its top executives<\/a> is set to begin Monday in Manhattan, with New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking an independent monitor to oversee the powerful gun rights group.<\/p>\n The Democrat also is seeking to ban\u00a0Wayne LaPierre<\/a>, the organization\u2019s former CEO, from serving in leadership positions for or collecting funds on behalf of charitable organizations conducting business in New York.<\/p>\n Judge Joel Cohen also will decide whether ex-general counsel John Frazer should be barred from charitable organizations in the state.<\/p>\n During the first phase of trial earlier this year, a jury in February found LaPierre misspent millions of dollars of NRA money in order to fund an\u00a0extravagant lifestyle<\/a>\u00a0that included exotic getaways and trips on private planes and superyachts.<\/p>\n Jurors also found the NRA failed to properly manage its assets, omitted or misrepresented information in its tax filings and violated whistleblower protections under New York law.<\/p>\n The upcoming proceedings in Manhattan state court are a bench trial, meaning there is no jury and the judge will hand down the verdict.<\/p>\n The NRA, through its lawyer, called the request for a court-appointed monitor to oversee administration of the organization\u2019s charitable assets \u201cunwarranted.\u201d<\/p>\n William Brewer, a lawyer for the NRA, said Friday that the organization was the victim in the case and has since taken a \u201ccourse correction\u201d to make sure it is fully complaint with the state\u2019s nonprofit laws.<\/p>\n \u201cThe focal point for \u2018phase two\u2019 is the NYAG\u2019s burden to show that any violation of any law is \u2018continuing\u2019 and persistent at the NRA,\u201d he said in an email. \u201cThis is a burden the NYAG cannot meet.\u201d<\/p>\n Spokespersons for James declined to comment, as did a lawyer for LaPierre, who said his client isn\u2019t required to appear in person but will attend Monday. An email also was sent to Frazer\u2019s lawyer.<\/p>\n The bench trial is expected to last about two weeks, with both sides launching into witness testimony Monday, according to James\u2019 office. Charles Cotton, a former NRA president, is expected to take the stand first.<\/p>\n Bob Barr, the organization\u2019s president and a former congressman, and Douglas Hamlin, the NRA\u2019s CEO, are among the current employees and board members also listed as potential witnesses, according to James\u2019 office.<\/p>\n The trial cast a spotlight on the leadership, organizational culture and finances of the lobbying group, which was founded more than 150 years ago in New York City to promote rifle skills and grew into a political juggernaut that influenced federal law and presidential elections.<\/p>\n The jury ordered LaPierre to repay almost $4.4 million to the organization he led for three decades, while the NRA\u2019s retired finance chief,\u00a0Wilson \u201cWoody\u201d Phillips<\/a>, was ordered to pay back $2 million.<\/p>\n Last week, James\u2019 office announced details of a settlement it reached with Phillips.<\/p>\n Under the agreement, he agreed to be banned for 10 years from serving as a fiduciary of a not-for-profit organization in New York. He also agreed to attend training before returning to any such position.<\/p>\n The deal means Phillips, now retired, doesn\u2019t have to take part in the proceeding that starts Monday, but he is still on the hook for $2 million in damages from the initial verdict.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nRecommended Newsletter: <\/strong>CEO Daily provides key context for the news leaders need to know from across the world of business. Every weekday morning, more than 125,000 readers trust CEO Daily for insights about\u2013and from inside\u2013the C-suite. Subscribe Now<\/a>.<\/div>\n