A New York judge has banned the former National Rifle Association head Wayne LaPierre from holding a paid position with the organisation for a decade but declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group.
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The split decision from Judge Joel Cohen came on the final day of arguments in the second stage of a civil trial brought by New York Attorney-General Letitia James.
The first phase, decided in February by a jury, found Wayne LaPierre and another deputy liable for misspending millions of dollars on lavish trips and other personal expenses.
Cohen ruled on Monday the state's request for a monitor would be "time-consuming, disruptive and will impose significant costs on the NRA without corresponding benefits".
Cohen also had concerns about "speech-chilling government intrusion on the affairs of the organisation".
LaPierre did not respond to questions as he left the courtroom after the ruling.
Earlier, he told the judge that appointing a monitor to oversee the gun rights group's finances would be "equivalent to putting a knife straight through the heart of the organisation and twisting it".
A lawyer for the NRA, Sarah Rogers, said the group had implemented new controls since the jury's verdict, including bringing on fresh board members and a new compliance team.
But Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell dismissed those efforts as lacklustre, arguing the old guard leadership effectively still controlled the organisation.
The judge invited lawyers for the NRA and the state to submit further proposals on reforming the organisation.
In a statement after the verdict, James said: "After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leaders are finally being held accountable."
LaPierre served as the group's CEO and executive vice-president for more than three decades.
He resigned in January on the eve of the first phase of the trial.
Those proceedings cast a spotlight on the leadership, culture and financing of the organisation, with state lawyers accusing LaPierre of siphoning millions of dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle, including trips on private jets, expensive suits and family holidays.
The jury ordered LaPierre to repay almost $US4.4 million to the organisation, while the NRA's retired finance chief, Wilson "Woody" Phillips, was ordered to pay back $US2 million.
James, a Democrat, sued the NRA and its executives in 2020 under her authority to investigate non-profits registered in the state.
Australian Associated Press
