NRA paid for flights for chief executive’s relatives: report

The National Rifle Association (NRA) paid for private jets to fly to and from central Nebraska for relatives of longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

According to travel itineraries, emails and aviation records reviewed by the outlet, LaPierre’s flights would take detours to Nebraska to pick Colleen Sterner, a niece of Susan LaPierre, and her daughter.

{mosads}That kind of detour would typically cost roughly $5,000, two charter-jet operators told the Journal.

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam confirmed to The Hill that Sterner “has occasionally traveled via private aircraft with NRA officials and vendors in connection with her professional responsibilities. On occasion, she has been transported to her area of residence in connection with such travel.”

Sterner is a low-level employee of the gun-rights group.

Monday’s report comes amid increasing scrutiny on LaPierre’s spending as the NRA’s chief, most recently in connection to reported NRA discussions about buying him a $6 million home in the Dallas area.

The organization has experienced a steady stream of exits since the ouster of ex-President Oliver North amid accusations from LaPierre that he attempted to extort him over the NRA’s finances.

Updated at 4:11 p.m.