TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former reporter for a weekly Kansas newspaper has agreed to simply accept $235,000 to settle a part of her federal lawsuit over a police raid on the paper that made a small group the main focus of a national debate over press freedoms.
The settlement eliminated the former police chief in Marion from the lawsuit filed by former Marion County Document reporter Deb Gruver, but it surely doesn’t apply to 2 different officers she sued over the raid: the Marion County sheriff and the county’s prosecutor. Gruver’s lawsuit is amongst 5 federal lawsuits filed over the raid towards the town, the county and eight present or former elected officers or legislation enforcement officers.
Gruver’s legal professional didn’t instantly reply to emails Friday in search of remark. An legal professional for the town, its insurance coverage firm, the previous chief and others declined to remark however launched a replica of the June 25 settlement settlement after the Document filed an open data request. He additionally offered a replica to The Related Press.
Former Police Chief Gideon Cody led the Aug. 11, 2023, raid on the newspaper’s workplace, the house of writer Eric Meyer and the house of a then-city council member who had been crucial of the then-mayor. Marion is a metropolis of about 1,900 individuals set amongst rolling prairie hills about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, and the Document is thought for its aggressive protection of native authorities.
On the time, Cody mentioned he had proof that the newspaper, reporter Phyllis Zorn and the town council member had dedicated identification theft or different pc crimes in acquiring details about a neighborhood enterprise proprietor’s driving file. All of his targets mentioned they did nothing unlawful, and no fees have been ever filed.
A federal lawsuit filed by Meyer and the newspaper alleges that the raid brought about the demise the subsequent day of his 98-year-old mother, who lived with him, and he and the paper’s legal professional have recommended that the raid was Cody’s response to the paper investigating his background. Cody seized Gruber’s private cellphone and had her desk searched; she had no connection to the driving file however was wanting into Cody’s previous.
The raid sparked nationwide outrage, and Cody resigned as chief in early October, lower than two months after the raid. Authorized consultants have mentioned the raid likely violated state or federal laws.
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