TOPEKA, Kan. — In a significant move for press freedom, Marion County has agreed to pay just over $3 million and formally apologize after law enforcement's raid on a small-town weekly newspaper, the Marion County Record, in August 2023. The incident, which has ignited widespread criticism and debate, involved multiple defendants in five federal lawsuits led by the newspaper's publisher, Eric Meyer.
During a recent conversation with the Associated Press, Meyer emphasized the settlement's symbolic value: The goal isn’t to get the money. The money is symbolic. The press has basically been under assault. He hopes this settlement will deter similar future actions against news organizations.
Marion County's Sheriff Jeff Soyez also publicly apologized in a statement that acknowledged the participation of the police department in the controversial warrant execution. The statement explicitly named Meyer and his late mother, Joan Meyer, co-owner of the paper, as well as former council member Ruth Herbel and her husband, Ronald Herbel, who were also affected by the raid.
The commission's decision was made quickly, following a private discussion about the agreement, indicating the seriousness with which they regard the ramifications of the raid.
This raid, executed under a search warrant linked to a dispute involving a local restaurant owner, has led to heightened scrutiny of the local police’s actions. The newspaper had been investigating the police chief's previous work history, which some believe fueled the aggressive response.
Tragically, Joan Meyer passed away just one day after the raid, and Eric Meyer has cited the stress from the incident as a contributing factor to her heart attack. The raid and its aftermath have not only impacted the individuals involved but have also stirred national conversations regarding the protections and safety of journalists.
With this settlement, Marion County hopes to mend its image while acknowledging the essential role of the press in local governance and democracy.
