The National Rifle Association is being targeted by New York state attorney general Letitia James in a lawsuit accusing organization officials of illegally diverting money.

James announced the action Thursday, claiming the NRA is "fraught with fraud and abuse." She said the organization "went unchecked for decades while top executives funneled millions into their own pockets."

The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court. James said she is seeking to dissolve the NRA "because no organization is above the law."

The attorney general contends four of the group's top officials violated state and federal laws, "contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years."

James alleged the leaders instituted "a culture of self-dealing, mismanagement, and negligent oversight" that was illegal.

The NRA issued a statement asserting the lawsuit was a "baseless, premeditated attack on our organization." The group said it will fight the attorney general's action as it announced its own lawsuit against James.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

KEEP READING: Scroll to see what the big headlines were the year you were born

More From 98.1 The Hawk