Oliver North says NRA reacted to misconduct allegations like a 'circular firing squad'

abcnews.go.com:

Oliver North says he was pushed out of the National Rifle Association after raising allegations of financial misconduct against the group's CEO, Wayne LaPierre

New York — New York (AP) — Oliver North testified Tuesday that he was forced out of the National Rifle Association after raising allegations of financial irregularities within the powerful lobbying organization, likening the group's reaction to that of a “circular firing squad.”

North, 80, said he was pushed out as president of the NRA after seeking an independent review of some unusual expenses, including an “astronomical” sum that he said was spent on lawyers by the longtime chief executive, Wayne LaPierre.

LaPierre remarked that the lawyers are “the only reason I’m not going to spend the rest of my life in an orange jumpsuit,” North told jurors in a Manhattan courtroom.

Best known for his central role in the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s, North served as president of the NRA for less than a year before resigning in 2019 amid a bitter dispute with LaPierre, his one-time friend.

He was called to testify in the third week of the civil corruption trial focused on whether LaPierre treated himself to millions of dollars in private jet flights, yacht trips, African safaris and other extravagant perks at the expense of the gun rights group.

The case was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James under her authority to investigate nonprofits registered in the state. On the eve of the trial, LaPierre, 74, announced he would resign from his position by the end of the month.

LaPierre sat in the front row of the courtroom Tuesday, scribbling notes in a yellow legal pad as North described how he and his allies tried to understand how the organization was