A former reporter for a Kansas newspaper has accepted $235,000 to settle part of her federal lawsuit over a police raid on the local newspaper that raised concerns about press freedom violations.
The settlement was reached following the reporter's lawsuit against a former Marion Police Chief, who was accused of injuring her hand during the raid. The settlement removed the police chief from the lawsuit, but the Marion County sheriff and the county's prosecutor were not covered by the settlement.
This lawsuit is one of five federal suits filed over the raid against the city, county, and several elected officials or law enforcement officers.
The raid was initiated after a source provided information to the newspaper about a restaurant owner's alleged violations. Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant and seized computers, cellphones, and reporting materials.
The Privacy Protection Act prohibits most searches of journalists and newsrooms without subpoenas. However, law enforcement claimed that the law did not apply in this case as journalists were suspected of criminal activity.
Despite allegations of identity theft and computer crimes, no charges were filed against the journalists. One of the reporters is seeking damages for being deprived of press and speech freedoms.
During the raid, officers removed items from the newspaper office and a home, leading to tragic consequences as the newspaper owner's elderly mother collapsed and died the day after the raid.
The raid sparked national outrage over press freedom concerns, ultimately resulting in the resignation of the police chief.
