Kansas Police Chief Alleges Reporter Impersonated Someone Else in Obtaining Driving Records
The police chief who led the raid of a Kansas newspaper alleged in previously unreleased court documents that a reporter either impersonated someone else or lied about her intentions when she obtained the driving records of a local business owner.
The raid, which took place on August 11th and was led by Marion police chief Gideon Cody, brought international attention to the small central Kansas town and sparked a debate over press freedoms. Police seized computers, personal cellphones, and a router from the newspaper, but all items were released on Wednesday after the county prosecutor concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to justify the action.
Late on Saturday, the Marion County Record’s attorney, Bernie Rhodes, provided copies of the affidavits used in the raid to the Associated Press and other news media. The documents showed that reporter Phyllis Zorn’s obtaining of restaurant operator Kari Newell’s driving record was the driving force behind the raid.
The newspaper, acting on a tip, checked the public website of the Kansas Department of Revenue for the status of Newell’s driver’s license as it related to a 2008 conviction for drunk driving.
According to the affidavit written by Cody, the Department of Revenue informed him that those who downloaded the information were Record reporter Phyllis Zorn and someone using the name “Kari Newell”. Cody contacted Newell, who claimed that “someone obviously stole her identity”.
Cody wrote in the affidavit: “Downloading the document involved either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons why the record was being sought.”
Under normal circumstances, license records are confidential under state law but can be accessed under certain circumstances. The online user can request their own records but must provide a driver’s license number and date of birth.
Zorn, Marion County Record editor and publisher Eric Meyer, and the newspaper’s attorney all maintain that no laws were broken when Zorn accessed the public state website for information on Newell. Zorn stated that she went to the Kansas Department of Revenue website and obtained the information legally.
The investigation into whether the newspaper broke state laws continues, now led by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Some legal experts believe the raid violated a federal privacy law that protects journalists from having their newsrooms searched. Additionally, some believe it violated a Kansas law that makes it more difficult to force reporters and editors to disclose their sources or unpublished material.
The Record received an outpouring of support from other news organizations and media groups after the raid. Meyer said the newspaper has gained at least 4,000 additional subscribers, enough to double the size of its press run. However, many of the new subscriptions are digital.
Meyer also blamed the stress from the raid for the death of his 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, who was the co-owner of the paper. Her funeral services were held on Saturday.
What evidence did the police chief provide to support his allegation that the reporter impersonated someone or lied about her intentions to obtain the driving records?
The police chief overseeing the raid of a Kansas newspaper has alleged that a reporter either impersonated someone else or lied about her intentions when she obtained the driving records of a local business owner. The raid, which occurred on August 11th and was led by Chief Gideon Cody of the Marion Police Department, garnered widespread attention and sparked a discussion about the freedom of the press. During the raid, authorities seized computers, personal cellphones, and a router from the newspaper’s premises. However, all confiscated items were returned on Wednesday after the county prosecutor determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the police action.
Over the weekend, the Marion County Record’s attorney, Bernie Rhodes, released copies of the affidavits that were used to justify the raid to various news outlets, including the Associated Press. These documents revealed that the reporter, Phyllis Zorn, obtaining the driving record of restaurant owner Kari Newell was the primary reason for the raid. The newspaper had discovered information about Newell’s driver’s license status on the public website of the Kansas Department of Revenue. This discovery was prompted by a tip received by the newspaper related to a 2008 conviction.
This raises serious concerns about the integrity of law enforcement and the threats to freedom of the press. It is crucial to protect the rights of journalists and ensure accurate and unbiased reporting.
The actions of the Kansas Police Chief are deeply concerning and undermine the importance of press freedoms. It is essential to hold law enforcement accountable and protect the rights of reporters to gather and disseminate information.