The National Rifle Association’s second-in-command has resigned in the wake of a lawsuit alleging he helped plot a coup attempt against the gun group’s chief executive, Wayne LaPierre.

Chris Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist, was previously suspended following a lawsuit filed last week accusing him of engaging with the group’s former president, Oliver North, to oust LaPierre. The scheme backfired, with North forced out of his position and lawsuits flying ever since.