First, what is a civil RICO case? Here’s a short and sweet little run down, https://www.lodhs.com/blog/understanding-the-elements-of-a-civil-rico-claim/
There’s one thing that really stands out in the above explanation,
“Standing
Finally, the plaintiff must establish that they have standing to bring a RICO claim. This generally means that the plaintiff was directly harmed by the RICO violation. Certain relationships, such as competitor standing, may also be considered.
Civil RICO claims are complex and require intricate legal and factual analysis. The specific requirements and interpretations can vary based on the circumstances and legal precedents.”
David Dell’Aquila, one of the four plaintiff’s bringing the case against the NRA, has said, at a minimum, if he wins, NRA will pay $60million, and because it’s a RICO case, that’s triple damages, so a minimum of $180million.
But how was he damaged to the tune of $60million? Or more? He’s said, he’s donated, a little over $100,000 to NRA. How does $100,000 turn into $60million? After all he was a donor, not a vendor, so no business was harmed by NRA’s corruption. And even with the three other plaintiffs, did the four of them contribute $60million to the NRA?
And why in the press release, is only Dell’Aquila named?
“The NRA has faced many lawsuits, but the plaintiffs in this case are not the usual anti-gun activists or state prosecutors the NRA is accustomed to demonizing and fending off. Rather, this suit is being brought by fierce proponents of the Second Amendment who feel betrayed by the corruption and greed of NRA leadership. Plaintiff David Dell’Aquila, a retired tech company millionaire now in his 60s, is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights and a lifetime member of the NRA, having given more than $100,000 to forward its mission. Now, however, he regrets his previous financial support of the organization.”
https://www.loevy.com/press-release-court-denies-nra-motion-to-dismiss-lawsuit
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
“Civil suits
RICO also permits a private individual “damaged in his business or property” by a “racketeer” to file a civil suit. The plaintiff must prove the existence of an “enterprise.” The defendant(s) are not the enterprise; in other words, the defendant(s) and the enterprise are not one and the same.[13]
A civil RICO action can be filed in state or federal court.[14]
Both the criminal and the civil components allow the recovery of treble damages (triple the amount of actual/compensatory damages).[15] If the United States government is the plaintiff in civil court, treble damages may be replaced with a request for equitable remedies and preliminary injunctive reliefs. [16]“
So how can these four people have been damaged, times three, to $180million?
The four plaintiffs are, David Dell’Aquila, Lorannda Borja, Todd Chesney and Brent Weber.
The complaint itself, is a little difficult for this legal layman to understand. But it appears all four are suing the actual National Rifle Association, while in addition only Dell’Aquila is suing the NRA Foundation which is technically a separate entity. There’s a link to the complaint at the bottom of the page, here, https://www.loevy.com/press-release-court-denies-nra-motion-to-dismiss-lawsuit/
An NRA director said, Dell’Aquila was against NRA filing bankruptcy in 2021. Yet, if NRA loses this lawsuit, and pays at a minimum what Dell’Aquila expects, $60million times 3, which equals $180million, NRA will surely be bankrupt. So, NRA bankruptcy is bad, in 2021, but ok, in 2025, or 2026, when this goes to court? The same NRA director said, Dell’Aquila was against bankruptcy in 2021 because he wanted discovery. If the goal was to get the crooks out, wouldn’t a bankruptcy in 2021, have accomplished that? Maybe, maybe not, I don’t know. But what does a bankruptcy, in 2025, or maybe 2026 accomplish that one in 2021 couldn’t?
But, if discovery was what he wanted, why? If the goal was to reform the NRA, why wait the four or five or six years, as the legal system moves at a glacial pace? Bankruptcy in 2021, would’ve been much faster, than pursuing RICO.
Now, from May 9th, in the comments section here, https://nraindanger.wordpress.com/2025/05/09/marion-hammer-sues-nra/
“David Dell’Aquila
Regarding Ms. Hammer – Free advice to NRA’s general counsel et al which is “attorney 101” is to counter sue and add Wayne Lapierre as a defendant stating “to the extent the NRA is liable then Wayne is liable to the NRA because he breached his fiduciary responsibility.” Then the NRA has Wayne personally liable.
Regarding our class action suit – Unfortunately, settlement talks have broken down and we will be preceding to trial with the RICO charge et al.”
Now I always thought the goal was to play chicken so to speak, and get the NRA to settle. Well apparently that didn’t work. Now if NRA loses, why do four people get $180million if they didn’t in fact give anywhere near that amount to the NRA? Shouldn’t all members get their money back if NRA loses RICO? Why do four members stand to gain so much, while the currently, 3million or so members don’t get anything?
It’s also curious to note that of the four plaintiffs, only one seems to make public statements on various forums and blogs, Dell’Aquila. Why? Don’t the other three who stand to gain so much have anything to say? It just looks odd, having four plaintiffs and only one does all the talking.
I used to be for the RICO case. But now, I’m not so sure. I’m asking questions and making observations. If I’m wrong on something above, feel free to offer corrections. But all I’m doing is asking questions, and two in particular, why do four members stand to gain $180million or more, of NRA member dues/donations, nearly all of which came from other members, and not them, while millions of other members, who likewise paid dues and gave donations get nothing?
That doesn’t sound fair to this legal layman.
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