Wayne LaPierre resigned as leader of the National Rifle Association on Friday, ending a long career that saw it became one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington, only to have its prestige tarnished by graft accusations and a bankruptcy filing.

LaPierre, 74, chief executive since 1991, steps down just as New York state Attorney General Letitia James brings a corruption trial against the NRA, due to begin in state Supreme Court on Monday.

James had been seeking LaPierre¡¯s removal from office, but he is still among three individual defendants in the case and is expected to testify.