MARION, Kan. — The city of Marion has agreed to pay $850,000 to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by a now-retired reporter who said a 2023 police raid on her newspaper violated press freedoms and contributed to a recurrence of serious health problems.
Settlement ends suit tied to contentious 2023 raids
Attorneys for former Marion County Record reporter Phyllis Zorn and for the city filed a joint statement Tuesday — the third anniversary of the raid on the paper’s offices — indicating Zorn’s lawsuit would be dismissed following the payment. The settlement was confirmed by city attorney Scott Ufford.
Zorn alleged the August 2023 actions by law enforcement infringed on protections against unreasonable searches and chilled newsgathering. She also said the raid precipitated the return of violent seizures that had been controlled for years by medication and that she ultimately retired because of the health impact.
Investigations and litigation arising from the raids have involved multiple targets, including the newspaper’s offices, the home of Publisher Eric Meyer and the residence of a former city council member. Those actions attracted national attention and stirred debate over civil liberties and the conduct of local law enforcement in Marion, a community of about 1,900 people.
Background and broader legal fallout
City officials said at the time they were investigating whether reporters had accessed a restaurant owner’s state driving record improperly. Authorities who later reviewed the raids concluded that the searches were not legally justified. The raids and the ensuing public outcry prompted the resignation of Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody.
Marion County itself reached a separate settlement in November that totaled a little more than $3 million to resolve claims across five lawsuits tied to the raids. That county agreement included a payment of $600,000 to Zorn, according to court filings and statements at the time.
| Paying entity | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Marion | Settlement to dismiss Zorn’s federal suit | $850,000 |
| Marion County | Settlement resolving multiple claims tied to the raids | Just over $3,000,000 (includes $600,000 to Zorn) |
Local leaders, residents respond
Officials did not offer extensive public comment about the settlement. City Attorney Ufford confirmed the amount but declined further comment, and attempts to reach the plaintiff’s lead attorney, Randy Rathbun, for immediate comment were not returned Wednesday.
Publisher Eric Meyer, whose home and the paper’s offices were among the locations searched, has argued that the raids were retaliatory and tied to the paper’s reporting, including efforts to examine the police chief’s past. Meyer has said the raids strained the small newsroom and had severe personal consequences; his 98-year-old mother, who lived with him and was co-owner of the newspaper, died the day after law enforcement searched their home, and Meyer has attributed stress from the events to her death.
What the case means for press freedom and local government
Legal experts at the time noted that the raids raised significant First Amendment issues because they targeted a news organization and its staff. Civil liberties groups flagged the incident as an example of how local law enforcement actions can intersect with constitutional protections for the press, emphasizing the need for clear rules and oversight when police seek newsrooms or reporters’ records.
For Marion, the financial and reputational fallout has been substantial. Beyond the dollar amounts paid in settlements, the controversy prompted statewide discussion about the balance between investigative policing and the rights of journalists, especially in small towns where local papers are primary watchdogs.
- Settlement amount by city of Marion: $850,000
- Earlier Marion County settlement resolving multiple suits: just over $3 million
- Outcome: Zorn’s federal lawsuit dismissed following the joint filing
The settlement closes one piece of the legal aftermath from the 2023 events, but broader questions about procedures for police searches of news organizations and community oversight of local law enforcement remain subjects of debate among residents, journalists and civil rights advocates across Kansas.
Wesley Carrington is WE NEWS’ state correspondent covering legal and public affairs across Kansas.
