Court affirms penalties for NRA head

An appellate court in New York has affirmed the penalties imposed upon former National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.  A jury had found LaPierre liable for breach of fiduciary duty in 2024 and ordered him to pay $4.3 million in damages to the organization.  The trial court judge also banned LaPierre from serving in any fiduciary position with the NRA or any of its affiliates for a period of 10 years. (See Nonprofit Issues®, Vol.

DC Court blocks Trump’s change in name of Kennedy Center

The federal District Court in Washington, D.C. (Christopher R. Cooper) has granted summary judgment on Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s suit to prohibit the Board of Directors of the “John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” from changing the name of the Center without the approval of Congress.

9th Circuit affirms anti-DEI preliminary injunction

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a per curiam opinion, has affirmed a trial court decision issuing a preliminary injunction against the government for terminating federal grants to programs involving diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. The Court held that the plaintiffs had a substantial likelihood of winning on their claims of violation of the First Amendment.

Media Challenge Penn State “Gag Policy” On Trustee Statements

Outlets claim provisions violate First Amendment rights of Trustees to speak, the press to report, and the public to hear

New bylaw provisions restricting Penn State University Trustees’ right to speak freely about issues facing the Board of the University have been challenged from a new perspective.

Trade association can’t lead class action on real estate taxes

The Washington Hospitality Association, a 501(c)(6) trade association representing more than 60 owners of hotel properties in King County, WA, has been unable to win a class action reducing real estate taxes on the properties because of the “natural disaster” of COVID-19.

Waiver and release protects YMCA from liability

A waiver and release from liability resulting from a member’s use of its “facilities” has protected a YMCA in Tennessee from a claim by a member who was injured when a shower seat in a fitness center became unmoored and she was seriously injured.

The member argued that the waiver included as part of the membership application was ambiguous and should be interpreted to exclude her use of the showers, and also that it was overly broad and unenforceable.  A trial court granted summary judgment to the Y.  The Tennessee Court of Appeals has affirmed.

Contingent Beneficiary Under Will Lacks Standing to Contest Bequest

Court says Mayo Foundation cannot contest bequest to local hospital to establish cancer center

Herman Stille’s will provided that the remainder of his estate should go “to the Floyd County Memorial Hospital. Charles City, Iowa, for the purpose of establishing a cancer center to serve local area residents if the funds available make such establishment possible.”  He spelled out some of the facilities that would be required in the cancer center.