In the search warrant, it stated law enforcement were allowed to seize items including “documents and records pertaining to Kari Newell,” the restaurant owner who the Marion County Record published about Wednesday. The warrant also allowed for the seizure of computers and devices used to “participate in the identity theft of Kari Newell.”
Timeline:
12 News confirmed with Meyer, Newell and the Marion Police Department a timeline of the events leading up to the raid Friday.- Tuesday, August 1: Marion Police posted to Facebook about a public forum for Congressman Jake LaTurner at a local Marion restaurant, Kari’s Kitchen.
- Marion County Record owner Eric Meyer said he and staff were told to leave public forum by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody at the request of restaurant owner Kari Newell.
- Wednesday, August 2: Meyer said Record’s reporter received Facebook message from a source alleging Newell was driving without a license and had a prior DUI conviction. Paper said it looked into these claims due to an upcoming vote on Newell garnering a liquor license. Kansas law states you can’t have a felony DUI conviction to obtain a liquor license. You must also have a state driver’s license.
- Friday, August 4: Meyer said he sent a note with the Record’s findings to Chief Cody. Meyer said the paper didn’t plan on publishing the findings.
- Meyer said City of Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel asked the Record to send her the information they had obtained about Newell because the city council was set to vote on the approval of her liquor license.
- Monday, August 7: City council approves liquor license in four to one vote.
- At the meeting, Newell claims the Record obtained her personal information illegally and shared it with the Vice Mayor. In her official statement to 12 News, Newell said she believes the paper accessed her information through a piece of her mail from the Kansas Department of Revenue. She reported that to police.
- Wednesday, August 9: The Record published article about the accusations and council meeting.
- Friday, August 11: Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed search warrant that alleges violations of identity theft and “unlawful acts concerning computers” regarding Newell.
- The Marion Police Department, with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, raid Meyer’s home, Herbel’s home and the Marion County Record’s office obtaining computers, cell phones and reporting materials.
