KSHB 41 I-Team Obtains Affidavits in Raids on Marion County Record and Vice Mayor’s Home
Kansas City, MO – The KSHB 41 I-Team has obtained three affidavits related to the recent raids on Marion County Record, the home of the newspaper owner Eric Meyer, and the home of Marion City Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel. These affidavits, provided by the attorney for the newspaper, outline the evidence that police used to obtain a warrant to search the properties.
The affidavit for Eric Meyer’s home, who is the owner of Marion County Record, reveals that the police accused the newspaper of illegally obtaining Kari Newell’s driving information. Marion Chief of Police Gideon Cody alleged that the crimes involved in this case were identity theft and unlawful use of a computer. According to the affidavit, Cody claims that the newspaper downloaded Newell’s driving record from a state website, which the newspaper admitted to doing. Meyer had previously contacted the police, expressing concerns about the tip his staff received regarding the potentially illegally obtained driving record.
The affidavit also accuses Phyllis Zorn, an employee at the newspaper, of downloading Newell’s information from a state website. Cody claims that Zorn broke the law by either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons for accessing the record. However, Cody acknowledges that the Department of Revenue (DOR) confirmed Zorn was the person who accessed the information. The newspaper had previously stated that Zorn openly sought Newell’s information to confirm a tip.
The affidavit also mentions a phone call where Eric Meyer allegedly threatened Newell, stating, “If you pursue anything, I will print the story and will continue to use everything I can to come at you. I will own your restaurant.” Meyer, however, denied speaking with Cody before the raids occurred.
In the affidavit related to Marion County Record, no additional evidence was provided. The same allegations against the newspaper were outlined but did not offer any new information.
Another affidavit focused on Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel, who also had her home raided by the police. Cody suggests that Herbel broke the law by sharing the same tip the newspaper had received with the Marion City Administrator, Brogan Jones. Cody accused Herbel of not wanting to approve a liquor license for Newell based on the information from the driving record.
An email attached to Herbel’s affidavit from Marion City Administrator Jones states that he received the information from Herbel, but the police would not be looking into it. Jones claimed that the state would handle any necessary investigations.
The newspaper’s attorney, Bernie Rhodes, stated that no probable cause affidavits were filed with the District Court until three days after the illegal searches. Rhodes argued that Phyllis Zorn, the reporter for Marion County Record, had not engaged in any illegal activities. He emphasized that Zorn only accessed the public website of the Kansas Department of Revenue to verify the authenticity of Newell’s driving record.
According to Rhodes, the Marion County Attorney has now withdrawn the search warrants due to insufficient evidence supporting a legally sufficient connection between the alleged crime and the places searched and items seized. Rhodes asserted that being a reporter is not a crime and claimed that the only crime being investigated by Chief Cody was that of being a reporter.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.