Kansas county agrees to pay $3 million over law enforcement raid on a small-town newspaper

Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 2:24 am

Kansas County to Pay $3 Million Over Newspaper Raid

Marion County, Kansas, has agreed to pay over $3 million and issue an apology to settle lawsuits stemming from a controversial law enforcement raid on the *Marion County Record*, a small-town weekly newspaper. The raid, which occurred in August 2023, sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about press freedom.

The settlement resolves five federal lawsuits filed by the newspaper's parent company, its publisher, employees, a former city council member, and the estate of the publisher's mother, who died the day after the raid. The agreement, a five-page document, was released by the newspaper's attorney.

Eric Meyer, the paper's editor and publisher, expressed hope that the substantial payment would deter similar actions against news organizations in the future. He emphasized that the financial compensation is symbolic, representing the broader issue of press freedom. Legal claims against the city and its officials remain unresolved, with Meyer anticipating a larger judgment in those cases.

The raid, led by the former police chief, Gideon Cody, was connected to a dispute between the newspaper and a local restaurant owner. The search warrant cited allegations of privacy invasion and illegal access to information. However, subsequent investigations by special prosecutors found that the newspaper had committed no crimes prior to the raid, and the warrants contained inaccurate information. Cody resigned as police chief in October 2023 and is scheduled to stand trial in February on a felony charge of interfering with a judicial process.

The county's agreement includes an apology from Sheriff Jeff Soyez, specifically mentioning the Meyers, along with the former council member and her husband. The Marion County Commission approved the settlement after a brief private discussion.

BNN's Perspective:

While the settlement is a positive step towards accountability, the lingering legal battles and the symbolic nature of the payment highlight the ongoing challenges faced by local news organizations. The case underscores the importance of protecting press freedom and ensuring that law enforcement actions are conducted with transparency and respect for constitutional rights.

Keywords: Kansas, Marion County, newspaper raid, press freedom, settlement, Eric Meyer, Gideon Cody, Marion County Record, lawsuits, apology, law enforcement, journalism, freedom of the press, media, news

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