United States: Settlement for Deb Gruver Marks Crucial Win, But Transparency Challenges Persist
Following controversial police raid on the Marion County Record, Gruver reaches a $235,000 settlement in lawsuit against ex-Police Chief Gideon Cody
Location: United States, Marion County
Date: July 6, 2024
The recent $235,000 settlement awarded to former Marion County Record reporter Deb Gruver recognizes the injustices she endured during the unlawful raid on the newspaper’s office. This settlement, however, comes with a confidentiality clause that restricts Gruver from discussing the details, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving full transparency and accountability. The resignation of the chief of police in Marion, Gideon Cody, following the lawsuit and the multiple legal actions pursued by other Record employees reflect a systemic problem that needs addressing. Women Press Freedom condemns the actions of Cody and other officials involved in this egregious misuse of power. We call for continued vigilance and advocacy to ensure that such violations do not recur. The press must remain free to investigate and report without fear of retribution or violence. We urge the relevant authorities to hold accountable those responsible for this unprecedented raid and to take measures to protect journalists from future attacks.
In a significant development following the controversial police raid on the Marion County Record, former reporter Deb Gruver has reached a $235,000 settlement in her federal lawsuit against former Marion County Police Chief Gideon Cody, on June 25, 2024.
Women Press Freedom documented the raid, which took place on August 11, 2023. It involved police officers executing three search warrants on the Marion County Record's office and its employees' homes. The warrants, later withdrawn due to insufficient evidence, led to the seizure of personal and professional equipment, including Gruver’s cell phone and computer. During the raid, Gruver sustained a finger injury when Chief Cody forcibly took her phone as she attempted to contact the paper’s publisher, Eric Meyer.
“I cried,” says Gruver. “I was pacing around, but I was crying because it was such an affront to what I’ve known, that I’ve wanted to do since third grade. I take this profession incredibly seriously. And I take my role as a public servant, which I think journalists are, incredibly seriously. And I just couldn’t believe that it was happening — but yeah, I could believe it, because of where we were.”
Gruver’s lawsuit initially named Cody, who resigned in October 2023 following the filing of the suit. The settlement agreement, obtained by The Record on July 2, includes a confidentiality clause that prevents Gruver from discussing the terms of the settlement. In exchange for the payout, Cody’s name has been removed from the lawsuit, which still names Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey and Marion County Sheriff Jeff Soyez.
In the aftermath of the raid, multiple lawsuits have been filed by Record employees. These suits allege various violations, including unlawful detention, illegal seizure of personal belongings, and attempts by Cody to undermine the newspaper’s operations. One such suit, filed by reporter Phyllis Zorn, claims Cody tried to persuade her to leave The Record and start a competing paper he would fund.
The sudden death of Meyer’s 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, a day after her home was searched, adds to the controversy surrounding the case.
“The $235,000 settlement is a significant acknowledgment of the injustices Deb Gruver faced,” says Inge Snip, senior editor at Women Press Freedom. “However, the confidentiality clause limiting her ability to discuss the settlement is a reminder of the ongoing challenges to transparency and accountability. We must ensure that journalists can work without fear of retaliation or violence.”
Gruver plans to allocate a portion of the funds to a journalism scholarship for students who have “overcome extraordinary challenges in their lives.”
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Deb Gruver and welcomes the settlement awarded to her. While it provides some financial redress, it also underscores the deep-rooted issues within law enforcement’s treatment of journalists. We will continue closely monitoring the ongoing legal proceedings and hope that the courts will similarly rule in favor of the Record and its employees, including Phyllis Zorn, providing them with the justice and redress they deserve. These lawsuits are not just about individual grievances but are crucial for upholding the principles of a free press and ensuring that such violations do not become a precedent.
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