UPDATE: In a significant turn of events, Marion County, Kansas, has agreed to a staggering payout of over $3 million to settle legal disputes stemming from an illegal raid on a local newspaper. The decision, made on Monday, October 16, 2023, comes after widespread condemnation of the August 2023 incident that many viewed as an assault on press freedom.
The raids, which targeted the Marion County Record and the home of its owner, Eric Meyer, were initiated following complaints from a local restaurateur concerning the newspaper’s investigative reporting. The Marion County Board of Commissioners’ decision to approve the settlement aims to resolve claims from three journalists and a former city councilor, all of whom were affected by the unlawful actions.
Meyer, who continues to pursue lawsuits against former city officials, expressed relief at the county’s admission of wrongdoing. “We were willing to short-circuit it because of two things — because there was an admission of wrongdoing and the apology,” he stated. “There’s no nondisclosure agreements. There’s no denial of wrongdoing. They basically admit that what we allege they did, they did.”
Following the agreement, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a public apology, acknowledging its role in the execution of the 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 read, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The emotional toll of the raids was not lost on the Meyer family. Eric’s 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, described the law enforcement actions as “Hitler tactics.” Tragically, she passed away just a day after speaking about the incident, leaving a profound impact on Eric, who noted, “It might make her rest easier to know that somebody admitted that they shouldn’t have done what they were doing.”
The settlement resolves four federal lawsuits against Marion County officials, but Meyer insists that the fight continues against former city officials, stating, “If they had done otherwise, we might not be so insistent on going all the way to a verdict.” He emphasized that financial compensation was not the primary goal, calling the payout “a symbol” of the consequences for bullying the free press.
Looking ahead, Meyer hopes that the resolution will ultimately benefit the Marion County Record, potentially allowing for an endowment fund to secure its future as a watchdog in the community. “They wanted to put us out of business. Well, they may have guaranteed that we stay in business,” he remarked.
As the legal battles continue, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of press freedom and the potential ramifications for those who attempt to undermine it. The developments in Marion County are certain to resonate with journalists and advocates for free speech across the nation.
