Kansas County Pays $3M Over Illegal Raids on Local Newspaper

UPDATE: Marion County, Kansas, is set to pay more than $3 million in combined damages after illegal raids on a local newspaper and the homes of its journalists were confirmed. This urgent decision follows a scandal that has drawn national condemnation regarding press freedom, with repercussions still unfolding.

In the wake of the August 2023 raids on the Marion County Record and the residence of owner Eric Meyer, the Marion County Board of Commissioners reached a settlement agreement on Monday. They will compensate three journalists and a former city councilor whose home was also targeted in these controversial law enforcement actions. The raids were initiated following complaints from a local restaurateur about the newspaper’s investigation into her business practices.

Meyer stated that lawsuits against the city of Marion and former Police Chief Gideon Cody are ongoing. Cody, who was previously a police captain in Kansas City, has pleaded not guilty to charges of ordering a witness to delete critical text messages during the days leading up to the raids. However, Meyer and other plaintiffs have opted to settle with Marion County without a jury trial, citing an admission of wrongdoing and a public apology.

“We were willing to short-circuit it because there was an admission of wrongdoing,” Meyer told reporters. “They basically admit that what we allege that they did, they did.” This revelation marks a significant moment in the fight for press freedom.

In a statement, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office publicly apologized, expressing deep regrets for their participation in the unlawful execution of search warrants. “This likely would not have happened if established law had been reviewed and applied prior to the execution of the warrants,” the statement concluded.

The emotional impact of the raids has been profound. Joan Meyer, Eric’s 98-year-old mother, who worked at the newspaper for decades, was particularly affected. Just a day after describing the law enforcement actions as “Hitler tactics,” she passed away. “It might make her rest easier to know that somebody admitted that they shouldn’t have done what they were doing,” Eric Meyer remarked.

The judgment effectively clears the way for the county from four separate federal lawsuits filed by various plaintiffs against officials involved in the raids. “Money wasn’t the issue. But money’s the symbol,” Meyer stated, highlighting the broader implications of this payout. “It’s a symbol that says if you want to bully people—particularly the free press—there’s a price to pay. And that price is going to be in the millions.”

Meyer also indicated that the plaintiffs are unlikely to consider settling their cases against former city officials outside of court, emphasizing the city’s ongoing obstruction. “If they had done otherwise, we might not be so insistent on going all the way to a verdict,” he said.

Looking ahead, Meyer expressed hope that the financial settlements could lead to the establishment of an endowment fund designed to secure the future of the Marion County Record as a vital watchdog in the community. “They wanted to put us out of business. Well, they may have guaranteed that we stay in business,” he concluded.

As the situation continues to develop, this case highlights the crucial importance of press freedom in America and the lengths to which some officials will go to silence scrutiny. The legal ramifications and the community’s response will be closely monitored in the days ahead.