Officials in Marion County, Kansas, have agreed to pay more than $3 million in damages stemming from a 2023 police raid on a local newspaper and two private homes, The Hill reported Wednesday.
The raids were carried out by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on the newspaper’s office and two homes — that of the paper’s owner, Joan Meyer, and former Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel.
The raids were conducted amid a police investigation into the newspaper over allegations it illegally obtained and used personal information about a local restaurant owner.
The newspaper, the Marion County Record, reported the county admitted wrongdoing in the incident.
“In our democracy, the press is a watchdog against abuse,” said Record publisher Eric Meyer (the son of Joan Meyer). “If the watchdog itself is the target of abuse, and all it does is roll over, democracy suffers.”
The raid on the Meyers’ home contributed to Joan Meyer’s death from sudden cardiac arrest two days later, according to the Marion County Record. As part of the deal, the county awarded $1 million to Joan Meyer’s estate and $200,000 to Eric Meyer, whose two computers and cellphone were seized in the raid.
In addition, two Marion County Record reporters — Deb Gruver and Phyllis Zorn — also received $250,000 and $600,000, respectively. Both have resigned since the incident.
The newspaper also received $300,000. During the raid on the office, police seized three computers and a file server.
Herbel, whose computer and cell phone were seized in the raid on her home, received $650,000.
In its apology, the sheriff’s office said it “wishes to express its sincere regrets to Eric and Joan Meyer and Ruth and Ronald Herbel for its participation in the drafting and execution of the Marion Police Department’s search warrants on their homes and the Marion County Record.”
Cheri Bentz, the newspaper’s business manager, previously settled with the county for $50,000, according to The Hill.
The county’s insurance policies will cover $3 million of the $3.05 million awarded.
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