In a notable case surrounding press freedom, a small town in Kansas has agreed to a settlement of $850,000 with Phyllis Zorn, a former reporter for the Marion County Record. This settlement concludes her federal lawsuit concerning a controversial police raid on the newspaper’s office in 2023.
The raid raised significant concerns about constitutional rights related to press freedoms and protection from unreasonable searches. Zorn claimed the raid triggered health issues, including the return of serious seizures previously controlled by medication.
On the third anniversary of the raid, attorneys Randy Rathbun and Jennifer Hill issued a joint statement confirming the lawsuit’s dismissal. This case was among several lawsuits launched against local officials due to raids on various properties, including the homes of Publisher Eric Meyer and a former City Council member.
Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody initiated the raid, alleging identity theft by the newspaper in accessing a restaurant owner’s state driving record. However, investigations deemed the raids as legally unjustified. The newspaper and its associates viewed the actions as retaliatory in nature due to their critical reporting and investigation into Cody’s past.
Marion, a town of 1,900 people located 150 miles southwest of Kansas City, gained national attention. Cody resigned after the incident, and Meyer highlighted the adverse impact of the raid, noting his mother’s stress-induced death shortly afterward. The late Joan Meyer was a co-owner of the Marion County Record.
In addition to the payment to Zorn, Marion County agreed to a settlement exceeding $3 million to resolve claims within five lawsuits against officials. While some legal matters have been resolved or dismissed, others are ongoing, with a pretrial hearing set for October 15.
Further complications arose as questions about Cody’s conduct led to a state investigation. Two special prosecutors charged Cody with felony obstruction of justice, accusing him of convincing the restaurant owner to withhold information. Cody has pleaded not guilty, and his trial has been postponed.