Former reporter settles part of her lawsuit over a police raid on a Kansas newspaper for $235,000
8 months, 1 week ago

Former reporter settles part of her lawsuit over a police raid on a Kansas newspaper for $235,000

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — A former reporter for a weekly Kansas newspaper has agreed to accept $235,000 to settle part of her federal lawsuit over a police raid on the paper that made a small community the focus of a national debate over press freedoms. The settlement removed the former police chief in Marion from the lawsuit filed by former Marion County Record reporter Deb Gruver, but it doesn’t apply to two other officials she sued over the raid: the Marion County sheriff and the county’s prosecutor. Gruver’s lawsuit is among five federal lawsuits filed over the raid against the city, the county and eight current or former elected officials or law enforcement officers. Former Police Chief Gideon Cody led the Aug. 11, 2023, raid on the newspaper’s office, the home of publisher Eric Meyer and the home of a then-city council member who had been critical of the then-mayor.

Record City Kansas Raid Cody Lawsuit Filed  newspaper  marion  federal  chief  lawsuit  filed  reporter  kansas  record  settles  cody  raid  city  235000

History of this topic

Former police chief who raided Kansas newspaper returns to face criminal charges
5 months, 1 week ago

Former police chief who raided Kansas newspaper returns to face criminal charges

Raw Story  

MARION — Former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody returned Monday to the town where he raided a newspaper to face a dozen journalists along with a felony charge for his actions after the raid. Monday’s hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, was Cody’s first public appearance in the town since he resigned as police chief amid intense scrutiny in …

Judge asked to allow cameras in court for former Kansas police chief who raided newspaper
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge asked to allow cameras in court for former Kansas police chief who raided newspaper

Raw Story  

TOPEKA — Kansas Reflector and other news outlets have asked a district judge to reject former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody’s attempt to banish cameras from court proceedings in his criminal case. In a motion filed Tuesday in Marion County District Court, 14 news outlets argue Cody’s concern “that the presence of cameras in the courtroom will somehow prejudice a …

Former police chief charged with witness interference after raid on Kansas newspaper
7 months ago

Former police chief charged with witness interference after raid on Kansas newspaper

Raw Story  

TOPEKA — A special prosecutor in court documents filed Tuesday says former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody “induced a witness to withhold information” in the days after Cody led a raid on a newspaper office, the publisher’s home and the home of a city councilwoman. The prosecutors wrote that Cody, his officers, Sheriff Jeff Soyez and his deputies, Kansas Bureau …

Ex-Police Chief Charged With Felony After Raiding Newspaper Offices
7 months ago

Ex-Police Chief Charged With Felony After Raiding Newspaper Offices

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING TOPEKA, Kan. — A former central Kansas police chief who led a raid last year on a weekly newspaper has been charged with felony obstruction of justice and is accused of persuading a potential witness for an investigation into his conduct of withholding information from authorities. The single charge against former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody alleges …

An ex-Kansas police chief who led a raid on a newspaper is charged with obstruction of justice
7 months ago

An ex-Kansas police chief who led a raid on a newspaper is charged with obstruction of justice

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — A former Kansas police chief who led a raid last year on a weekly newspaper has been charged with felony obstruction of justice and is accused of persuading a potential witness to withhold information from authorities when they later investigated his conduct. The single charge against former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody alleges that he knowingly or …

Ex-Kansas police chief who led raid on newspaper charged with obstruction of justice
7 months ago

Ex-Kansas police chief who led raid on newspaper charged with obstruction of justice

LA Times  

A stack of the Marion County Record sits in the back of the newspaper’s building in Marion, Kan., last year after a raid at the newsroom. A former central Kansas police chief who led a raid last year on a weekly newspaper has been charged with felony obstruction of justice and is accused of persuading a potential witness for an …

Prosecutors’ report on Marion newspaper raid leaves questions dangling
7 months, 1 week ago

Prosecutors’ report on Marion newspaper raid leaves questions dangling

Raw Story  

If you read special prosecutors’ report about last year’s raid on the Marion County Record newspaper, the abuse of power by law enforcement sounds like an immaculate deception. It reads in part: “Even though agents did not play a role in executing the search warrants, on Sept. 19, 2023, agents attended additional training presented by the Kansas County and District …

Special prosecutors plan to file criminal charge against cop who led KS newspaper raid
7 months, 1 week ago

Special prosecutors plan to file criminal charge against cop who led KS newspaper raid

Raw Story  

TOPEKA — Special prosecutors plan to charge former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody with a low-level felony for his actions following the raid he led last year on the Marion County Record and the homes of the newspaper publisher and a councilwoman. “The evidence strongly suggests they genuinely believed they were investigating criminal acts.” The report also clears Marion County …

Prosecutors plan to charge former Kansas police chief over his conduct following newspaper raid
7 months, 1 week ago

Prosecutors plan to charge former Kansas police chief over his conduct following newspaper raid

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — Two special prosecutors said Monday that they plan to charge a former central Kansas police chief with obstruction of justice over his conduct following a police raid last year on the local weekly newspaper. Prosecutors Marc Bennett and Barry Wilkerson concluded in their 124-page report that the staff at the Marion County Record committed no crimes before …

Kansas reporter reaches $235,000 settlement with police chief who led newspaper raid
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Kansas reporter reaches $235,000 settlement with police chief who led newspaper raid

Raw Story  

LAWRENCE — Deb Gruver felt heartbroken and violated when police raided the Marion County Record last year. Gruver said she is still working out the details of the scholarship, but she wants an annual award of perhaps $5,000 to go to a first-generation college student in Kansas who has “overcome extraordinary challenges in their life.” “I don’t really care about …

Kansas lawmakers want a report on last year’s police raid of a newspaper
1 year, 1 month ago

Kansas lawmakers want a report on last year’s police raid of a newspaper

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — Dozens of Kansas lawmakers launched an effort Tuesday to direct the state’s attorney general to release information from an investigation into a police raid last year on a weekly newspaper, but it wasn’t clear that their measure would get a hearing in the Republican-controlled Legislature. He said when no one is charged with a crime, “Then our …

Kansas lawmakers want a report on last year's police raid of a newspaper
1 year, 1 month ago

Kansas lawmakers want a report on last year's police raid of a newspaper

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Dozens of Kansas lawmakers launched …

Officials downplayed involvement in Kansas newspaper raid — but here’s what they knew
1 year, 4 months ago

Officials downplayed involvement in Kansas newspaper raid — but here’s what they knew

Raw Story  

MARION — Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, the publisher’s home and the home of a city councilwoman. The newspaper’s 200-point bold type headline that morning read: “SEIZED … but not silenced.” Cody, the police chief, had notified County …

Kansas police chief who led raid on small weekly newspaper has resigned, official says
1 year, 5 months ago

Kansas police chief who led raid on small weekly newspaper has resigned, official says

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — The police chief who led an August raid on a small weekly newspaper in central Kansas resigned Monday, just days after he was suspended from his post and following the release of body camera video of the raid showing an officer searching the desk of a reporter investigating the chief’s past. Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody’s resignation …

Police raid on Kansas newspaper appears to have led to a file on the chief, bodycam video shows
1 year, 5 months ago

Police raid on Kansas newspaper appears to have led to a file on the chief, bodycam video shows

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Body camera video from …

The police chief who led a raid of a small Kansas newspaper has been suspended
1 year, 5 months ago

The police chief who led a raid of a small Kansas newspaper has been suspended

LA Times  

Copies of the Aug. 16 edition of the Marion County Record after the raid at the Kansas newspaper. The police chief who led a highly criticized raid of a small Kansas newspaper has been suspended, the mayor confirmed to the Associated Press on Saturday. Vice-Mayor Ruth Herbel, whose home was also raided Aug. 11, praised Cody’s suspension as “the best …

Marion Kansas newspaper raid: Why did this happen? The editor has an idea.
1 year, 6 months ago

Marion Kansas newspaper raid: Why did this happen? The editor has an idea.

Slate  

On Friday, Aug. 11, the entire police force of Marion, Kansas, raided the offices of the local newspaper, the Marion Record, along with the home of the paper’s 98-year-old publisher, Joan Meyer, seizing every computer and phone in both buildings. After several days of nationwide furor and the launch of a state investigation, the county attorney withdrew the search warrant …

Court Documents Suggest Reason For Police Raid Of Kansas Newspaper
1 year, 6 months ago

Court Documents Suggest Reason For Police Raid Of Kansas Newspaper

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The police chief who led the raid of a Kansas newspaper alleged in previously unreleased court documents that a reporter either impersonated someone else or lied about her intentions when she obtained the driving records of a local business owner. But reporter Phyllis Zorn, Marion County Record Editor and Publisher Eric Meyer and the newspaper’s attorney said …

A raid on a Kansas newspaper likely broke the law, experts say. But which one?
1 year, 6 months ago

A raid on a Kansas newspaper likely broke the law, experts say. But which one?

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — A central Kansas police chief was not only on legally shaky ground when he ordered the raid of a weekly newspaper, experts said, but it may have been a criminal violation of civil rights, a former federal prosecutor added, saying: “I’d probably have the FBI starting to look.” Some legal experts believe the Aug. 11 raid on …

A raid on a Kansas newspaper likely broke the law, experts say.
1 year, 6 months ago

A raid on a Kansas newspaper likely broke the law, experts say.

LA Times  

A stack of the latest weekly edition of the Marion County Record sits in the newspaper’s building, awaiting unbundling and distribution. A central Kansas police chief was not only on legally shaky ground when he ordered the raid of a weekly newspaper, experts said, but it may have been a criminal violation of civil rights, a former federal prosecutor added, …

Kansas prosecutor finds ‘insufficient evidence’ for newspaper raid that drew international backlash
1 year, 7 months ago

Kansas prosecutor finds ‘insufficient evidence’ for newspaper raid that drew international backlash

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A county prosecutor has …

Prosecutor Says Police Should Return Items Seized In Kansas Newspaper Raid
1 year, 7 months ago

Prosecutor Says Police Should Return Items Seized In Kansas Newspaper Raid

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MARION, Kansas — The prosecutor in Marion County, Kansas, said Wednesday that police should return all seized material to a weekly newspaper that was raided by officers in a case that has drawn national scrutiny of press freedom. Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey said his review of police seizures from the Marion County Record found “insufficient evidence …

Kansas prosecutor says police should return computers and cellphones seized in raid on newspaper
1 year, 7 months ago

Kansas prosecutor says police should return computers and cellphones seized in raid on newspaper

Associated Press  

MARION, Kansas — A police raid that drew national attention to a small Kansas newspaper over threats to press freedoms wasn’t supported by evidence, a prosecutor said Wednesday, as the paper’s staff scrambled to print its first weekly edition since their cellphones and computers were seized. On Wednesday, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey said his review of police seizures from …

State Investigators To Probe Police Raid Of Small Kansas Newspaper
1 year, 7 months ago

State Investigators To Probe Police Raid Of Small Kansas Newspaper

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MARION, Kan. — A small newspaper and a police department in Kansas are at the center of a dispute over freedom of speech as the newspaper struggled Monday to publish its next edition, days after police raided its office and the home of its owner and publisher. Laura Kelly called the raids “concerning.” An attorney for the …

EXPLAINER: Why is a police raid on a newspaper in Kansas so unusual?
1 year, 7 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why is a police raid on a newspaper in Kansas so unusual?

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Tensions between public officials and the press are hardly unusual. Within two days, the raid drew the attention of some of the nation’s largest media organizations, including The Associated Press, The New York Times, CNN, CBS News, the New Yorker and the Gannett newspaper chain. Meyer also believes the newspaper’s aggressive coverage of local issues, including the …

A central Kansas police force comes under constitutional criticism after raiding a newspaper
1 year, 7 months ago

A central Kansas police force comes under constitutional criticism after raiding a newspaper

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A search warrant tied Friday morning raids, led …

Kansas police and a small newspaper are at the center of a 1st Amendment fight after a newsroom raid
1 year, 7 months ago

Kansas police and a small newspaper are at the center of a 1st Amendment fight after a newsroom raid

Associated Press  

MARION, Kan. — A small newspaper and a police department in Kansas are at the center of a dispute over freedom of speech as the newspaper struggled Monday to publish its next edition, days after police raided its office and the home of its owner and publisher. Newspaper publisher and co-owner Eric Meyer said he believes the newspaper’s dogged coverage …

Police Face Criticism Over Central Kansas Newspaper Raid In Which Computers, Phones Seized
1 year, 7 months ago

Police Face Criticism Over Central Kansas Newspaper Raid In Which Computers, Phones Seized

Huff Post  

Eric Meyer, the editor and publisher of the Marion County Record, answers questions about a raid by local police and sheriff's deputies on his newspaper's newsroom and his home, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Marion, Kan. via Associated Press MARION, Kan. — A small central Kansas police department is facing a firestorm of criticism after it raided the offices of …

Kansas newspaper says it investigated local police chief prior to newsroom raid
1 year, 7 months ago

Kansas newspaper says it investigated local police chief prior to newsroom raid

NPR  

Kansas newspaper says it investigated local police chief prior to newsroom raid Enlarge this image toggle caption John Hanna/AP John Hanna/AP The small-town Kansas newspaper raided by police officers on Friday had been looking into allegations of misconduct against the local chief just months ago, according to the paper's publisher, raising further concerns about the law enforcement officers' motives. The …

Editorial: Raid on Kansas newspaper was possibly illegal — and definitely troubling
1 year, 7 months ago

Editorial: Raid on Kansas newspaper was possibly illegal — and definitely troubling

LA Times  

It was the sort of conduct one usually associates with totalitarian governments: Law enforcement officers swarm a newspaper office and confiscate computers, servers and cellphones of reporters and editors. The searches left the small news operation in such a dire state that it was not clear whether it would be able to publish the next scheduled edition Tuesday evening; Meyer …

"Gestapo tactics": Co-owner of Kansas newspaper, 98, dies after "chilling" police raid
1 year, 7 months ago

"Gestapo tactics": Co-owner of Kansas newspaper, 98, dies after "chilling" police raid

Salon  

The co-owner of a small Kansas newspaper, the Marion County Record, died a day after police launched a raid on her home and the newspaper's office. Along with Meyer's home, police raided the paper's office, taking personal cellphones, computers, the newspaper's file server, and other miscellaneous equipment, per CBS News. Eric Meyer, owner and publisher of the Record, said the …

A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher’s home
1 year, 7 months ago

A central Kansas police force sparked a firestorm by raiding a newspaper and the publisher’s home

Associated Press  

MARION, Kan. — A small central Kansas police department is facing a torrent of criticism for raiding a local newspaper’s office and the home of its owner and publisher, seizing computers and cellphones, and, in the publisher’s view, stressing his 98-year-old mother enough to cause her weekend death. A search warrant tied Friday morning raids, led by Marion Police Chief …

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