A Kansas county has formally apologized and agreed to pay more than $3 million to a small-town newspaper following a highly criticized 2023 police raid that drew national attention for violating press freedoms. The settlement closes major claims in the lawsuit filed by the Marion County Record, marking a significant moment for accountability and media rights.
Settlement Reached With County Officials
According to court documents filed on Nov. 11, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Board of County Commissioners accepted responsibility and approved the settlement. This judgment resolves the claims the newspaper brought against these county entities.
However, the paper’s publisher, Eric Meyer, is still pursuing legal action against the city of Marion, its former mayor, its former police chief, and another officer. Those cases remain active and separately contested.
The August 2023 Raid That Shocked the Nation
On Aug. 11, 2023, law enforcement conducted raids on:
- The Marion County Record office
- The private home of Eric Meyer
- The home of his 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, who co-owned the newspaper
One day later, Joan Meyer died of a heart attack. Her son has long argued that the stress and trauma caused by the raid contributed directly to her death.
Attorney Bernie Rhodes, representing the Record, called the judgment a powerful warning to law enforcement:
“This ensures that any officer who thinks they can storm a newsroom must understand the consequences—measured in millions.”
Sheriff’s Office Issues Public Apology
As part of the agreement, the Sheriff’s Office issued a written apology to:
- Eric and Joan Meyer
- Ruth and Ronald Herbel, whose residence was also searched
The apology admitted that the raid likely would not have been carried out if proper legal standards had been reviewed and followed beforehand.
Breakdown of the Financial Settlement
Below is a simplified table outlining the compensation:
| Recipient | Settlement Amount |
|---|---|
| Joan Meyer’s Estate | $1,000,000 |
| Eric Meyer | $200,000 |
| Herbel Family + Newspaper + 2 former reporters | Remaining balance |
Eric Meyer reiterated that the lawsuit was never about the money, emphasizing that no public official is exempt from the law or allowed to violate First or Fourth Amendment protections.
Why the Newspaper Was Targeted
The raid began after accusations by Kari Newell, a local city council member. She claimed the Record illegally accessed and distributed information about her past DUI incident.
The newspaper strongly denied this. Meyer said a source told them Newell lacked a valid driver’s license, and public records confirmed it. The newspaper chose not to publish the information and instead alerted law enforcement after consulting an attorney.
A search warrant—signed by Judge Laura Viar—claimed probable cause of identity theft and computer-related crimes, allowing officers to seize computers and devices allegedly used to access state records.
However, Meyer later stated that the real motivation behind the raid was former Police Chief Gideon Cody’s anger over a Record reporter’s investigation into his conduct at a previous job in Missouri.
A Milestone for Press Freedom and Public Accountability
The settlement is widely viewed as a major victory for press freedom advocates.
Rhodes noted that even in a challenging media landscape, this case shows that news organizations can stand up to intimidation. He highlighted Joan Meyer’s fierce resistance during the raid as a driving force behind public outrage.
National media groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Kansas Press Association, condemned the raid soon after it happened.
Support from “empathy subscribers” worldwide poured in, helping keep the small newspaper financially stable. The latest compensation will further secure its future at a time when local journalism faces ongoing financial struggles.
