Kansas County to Pay $3M Amid Press Freedom Raid Controversy

URGENT UPDATE: In a significant development for press freedom, Marion County, Kansas, has agreed to pay over $3 million to settle claims stemming from illegal raids on a small-town newspaper and the home of its owner. The agreement, reached on October 16, 2023, follows national outrage over the August raids, which were criticized as a blatant attack on journalism.

The Marion County Board of Commissioners approved the payouts to three journalists and a former city councilor, all of whom were impacted by the controversial law enforcement actions. The raids were initiated after a local restaurateur lodged complaints about the Marion County Record’s investigative reporting. Eric Meyer, the owner and editor of the newspaper, confirmed that ongoing lawsuits against the city of Marion and former Police Chief Gideon Cody are still in play.

In a shocking turn of events, Cody, who previously served as a Kansas City police captain, pleaded not guilty last month to charges alleging he illegally instructed a witness to delete text messages related to the raids. However, Meyer and the other plaintiffs opted to resolve their disputes with Marion County through this settlement, avoiding a jury trial.

“We were willing to short-circuit it because there was an admission of wrongdoing and an apology,” Meyer stated in a phone interview. “They basically admit that what we allege that they did, they did.”

Following the settlement, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a formal apology, acknowledging its role in the drafting and execution of the search warrants. The statement expressed regret for the impact on the plaintiffs, stating, “This likely would not have happened if established law had been reviewed and applied prior to the execution of the warrants.”

The emotional weight of the situation was felt deeply by the Meyer family. Joan Meyer, Eric’s 98-year-old mother, described the raids as “Hitler tactics” before passing away shortly after expressing her distress. Eric Meyer reflected, “It might make her rest easier to know that somebody admitted that they shouldn’t have done what they were doing.”

The financial judgment concludes four federal lawsuits filed against various county officials. Meyer emphasized that while the money is significant, it symbolizes a greater message: “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.”

Looking forward, Eric Meyer remains determined to pursue his legal battle against former city officials. He indicated that the city has continually obstructed their efforts, fueling their resolve to seek a trial verdict. “If they had done otherwise, we might not be so insistent on going all the way to a verdict,” he added.

Ultimately, Meyer hopes that the financial settlement will allow the Marion County Record to establish an endowment fund, ensuring its longevity as a critical watchdog in the community. “They may have guaranteed that we stay in business,” he stated, indicating a potential reversal of the intimidation tactics used against them.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the spotlight remains on Marion County, with implications for press freedom and community trust in law enforcement hanging in the balance.