Posts by Michael Brodkorb

Video shows MacDonald and Evavold partying at GOP State Convention

June 12, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Michelle MacDonald

A recently uncovered video shows Michelle MacDonald partying with her then campaign chair and manager Dede Evavold at the 2014 Republican Party of Minnesota State Convention, during the time Evavold was actively concealing the whereabouts of two missing sisters.

At the time of this video, Evavold was working on MacDonald’s 2014 campaign for the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Last week, MacDonald filed again to run for the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Evavold was convicted in September 2016 on six counts of felony deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

The girls’ mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, abducted her daughters during a divorce and custody dispute with her ex-husband, David Rucki.

Grazzini-Rucki was also convicted of six felonies for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

MacDonald served as Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney and briefly represented her during her criminal trial. Continue reading →

Deja vu: Michelle MacDonald running again for Minnesota Supreme Court

June 11, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald, who was labeled a “person of interest” in the disappearance of missing children, filed to run again for the Minnesota Supreme Court, despite being on supervised probation as an attorney.

MacDonald filed to run against Justice Margaret Chutich, who was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Supreme Court in March 2016.

She first attempted to file to run for the Minnesota Supreme Court under a new political party but was denied because judicial elections are nonpartisan.

MacDonald previously ran twice unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014 and 2016.

MacDonald’s law license was just “conditionally reinstated” by the Minnesota Supreme Court in March, subject to her completion of the written portion of the Bar exam “on the subject of professional responsibility…”

She remains on supervised probation for two years with numerous conditions limiting her practice of law which could limit her ability to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court if elected.

The Associated Press reported that House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said “ugh” after MacDonald confirmed she was running for office again.

According to the most recent campaign finance reports, MacDonald had $31.70 in her campaign bank account and debts of $8,825.12.

Continue reading →

Kimberley Bukstein sued for allegedly filing false police & child protection reports

May 24, 2018 Comments Off read Kimberley and Jay Bukstein, Legal Developments

Kimberley Bukstein, who is connected to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and her supporters, is being sued in civil court for allegedly filing false police & child protection reports.

According to a lawsuit filed on December 7, 2017, Bukstein is one of three people and two organizations being sued for making “numerous reports to various government agencies (i.e., police, child protection) alleging false allegations against Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs seek judgment per Minnesota Statutes prohibiting malicious reporting and in defamation.”

A trial has been scheduled for January 2019 for the lawsuit filed against Bukstein and others in Ramsey County District Court.

In an unrelated case, Bukstein filed complaints in 2013 against nearly every licensed professional involved in the divorce between Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and her ex-husband, David Rucki.

She was also disciplined for the unauthorized practice of law and has sent repeated threatening and harassing communications in an attempt to shut down Missing in Minnesota. Continue reading →

Homesick: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki requests transfer to Florida

May 22, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has requested that her supervised probation is transferred from Minnesota to her home state of Flordia, according to public documents.

Grazzini-Rucki was released last week from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, after serving a total of 240 days for her 2016 conviction on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

She remains on supervised probation until September 13, 2018, and is currently living at an address in Stearns County. The requested transfer proves again that Grazzini-Rucki has ties to Florida including a residence.

Though she operates on a belief that lack of ownership proves she is homeless; it is clear Grazzini-Rucki has resided in Florida since 2016.

Despite falsely telling law enforcement at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida that she was homeless when she was booked into jail on March 27, 2018, Grazzini-Rucki is now requesting that her probation is transferred back to Florida. Continue reading →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki released from prison today after serving 240 days

May 15, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was released today from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, after serving a total of 240 days for her 2016 conviction on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

Grazzini-Rucki served the final 14 days of her sentence of in Shakopee, but she served the bulk of her sentence at the Ramsey County Jail while awaiting her criminal trial.

According to Stearns County Community Corrections, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki will be living at an address in Stearns County while she is on supervised probation. Her scheduled end date of probation is September 13, 2018, and Grazzini-Rucki will be prohibited from leaving Minnesota to live at her home in Clearwater, Florida.

But in a jailhouse video from April 5, 2018, Grazzini-Rucki brazenly declared that if she is ordered to stay in Minnesota, she will leave. “It wouldn’t matter anyway; I’d fucking leave anyway,” said Grazzini-Rucki. [WARNING: Video contains strong language.]

Grazzini-Rucki has no known relatives that live in Stearns County, but a small number of her remaining supporters live in the area. Continue reading →

Busted: Grazzini-Rucki reacts to being caught in lie about being homeless

May 11, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki becomes enraged during a jailhouse video call after she learns that she has been caught by Missing in Minnesota in a lie about being homeless.

In the 39-minute video recorded on April 9, 2018, while she was in custody at the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida, Grazzini-Rucki is informed by her friend Dennis Campbell that he just spoke with Missing in Minnesota and confirmed he met Grazzini-Rucki “on the beach” in Florida.

Grazzini-Rucki is visibility upset with Campbell’s admission, and she asks him what he said because “now we need to do damage control.”

As previously reported by Missing in Minnesota, Grazzini-Rucki falsely told law enforcement at Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida that she was homeless despite living in a nearby waterfront estate community.

Continue reading →

UPDATE: Fake lawyer, fake cop threatens and harasses Missing in Minnesota

May 4, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Kimberley and Jay Bukstein

UPDATE (12:00 PM, Friday, May 3, 2018) – Kimberley and Jay Bukstein’s names are back on the public roster for ADR Rule 114 Qualified Neutralsfor the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Office. Staff for the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Office could not provide any information on the changes to their status. The story below has been updated. Continue reading →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki re-sentenced; will serve 14 additional days in prison

April 27, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki executed the remainder of her jail sentence at a court hearing this morning at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota. Grazzini-Rucki received credit for serving 226 days in jail and will serve the balance of her sentence – 14 days – at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee.

Grazzini-Rucki will remain on supervised release for an additional 4 1/2 months after she finishes her sentence.

The court hearing was momentarily delayed because Grazzini-Rucki refused to walk from the jail facility to the courtroom. She was placed in a wheelchair and transported to a holding cell near the courtroom.

Nearly 45 minutes after the hearing was scheduled to start, Grazzini-Rucki walked briskly into the courtroom smiling, without the assistance of a wheelchair.

Through her public defender, Scott Baker, Grazzini-Rucki claimed she suffered injuries during her transport from a jail in Florida to Minnesota. Grazzini-Rucki claimed she suffered a broken nose, a concussion, and injured her neck, and back. She also claimed she suffered a spinal cord injury.

Her attorney said he had no records to confirm Grazzini-Rucki’s claims. She requested to be immediately released from custody.

This request was denied, by Judge Terrence E. Conkel.

Assistant Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said she had no information to validate Grazzini-Rucki’s claims of being injured while en route to Minnesota.

Keena said Grazzini-Rucki did not appear injured when she walked into the courtroom. She added that Grazzini-Rucki is prone to “exaggerating.”

Once Grazzini-Rucki entered the courtroom, the hearing lasted approximately 10 minutes. Grazzini-Rucki declined to make any statement to the court prior to being sentenced.

Unlike previous court hearings, Grazzini-Rucki had no supporters in the courtroom.
Continue reading →

UPDATE: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki back in jail in Minnesota

April 23, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

UPDATE (12:30 PM, Monday, April 23, 2018) – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki had a brief court appearance this morning at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota. Grazzini-Rucki is being held without bail pending her next court appearance, scheduled for Friday at 9 AM. Grazzini-Rucki has applied to be represented by a public defender, despite living in a waterfront estate community in Clearwater, Florida. Stay tuned for updates. Continue reading →

Dede Evavold creates confusion over jail sentence

April 19, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold was not required to report to jail today, despite Evavold herself publishing documents which claimed she was scheduled to serve 15 days in jail starting on April 19, 2018, and continuing each April 19 until 2023.

Evavold created the confusion last year when she published documents which detailed her scheduled for reporting to jail for the next six years related to her felony convictions for her role in the disappearance of Samantha Rucki and her sister Gianna, who were abducted near their home on Lakeville by their mother Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, during a custody and divorce proceeding.

After reviewing court documents which conflicted with Evavold’s claims, court staff at the Dakota County Judicial Center was able to verify that the information posted by Evavold was incorrect and she was not required to report to jail today.

Dede Evavold (in white) sits in the front row of the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee next to Michelle MacDonald (in red) on April 17, 2018.

In a bizarre unrelated development, Evavold attended a public committee hearing of the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week. Evavold was seen on public television sitting and chatting with Michelle MacDonald, who is Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney.

Evavold served as MacDonald’s campaign chair and manager during MacDonald’s unsuccessful bid for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014.

MacDonald’s law license was “conditionally reinstated” in the last few weeks by the Minnesota Supreme Court after her license was suspended related to her conduct while serving as Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney and her legal representation of Joseph Francis D’Costa. Continue reading →

‘Homeless’ and ‘penniless’ Sandra Grazzini-Rucki signed a lease to live at Florida condominium

April 3, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Despite repeated claims that she is “homeless” and “penniless”, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki signed a lease in March 2016 to live at a waterfront estate community in Clearwater, Florida, according to the owner of the condominium where she has been living.

Staff at the office which manages of the waterfront estate community also confirmed yesterday that Grazzini-Rucki was living in a condominium on the property and was seen by staff within the last month.

Missing in Minnesota published information in January based on public records which showed that a person named “Jaclyn Auld” with the same birthday as Grazzini-Rucki was residing with John “Jack” Auld in Clearwater, Florida.

After a warrant was issued for her arrest on March 26, 2018, Grazzini-Rucki turned herself in at approximately 9:00 PM the following evening at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office which is located just seven miles away from her home in Clearwater, Florida.

According to public court documents and staff at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Grazzini-Rucki falsely claimed she was homeless when being booked into custody.

Picture source: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office — Picture source: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Over the last few days, Missing in Minnesota worked to provide additional evidence to refute claims made by Grazzini-Rucki and her attorneys and supporters that Grazzini-Rucki is homeless. Supporters of Grazzini-Rucki have gone so far as to claim that Grazzini-Rucki “relies on couch surfing” and eats “cold cans of Spaghetti-O’s in order to survive.”

In fact, yesterday morning while Missing in Minnesota was working to confirm additional details about Grazzini-Rucki’s lease for her condominium in Clearwater, Florida, a supporter of Grazzini-Rucki and self-described “investigative reporter” posted a blog story which falsely claimed she was “rendered homeless” and living “on the street” in Florida.

Michelle MacDonald claimed in an affidavit filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court last September that Grazzini-Rucki was “homeless.” MacDonald’s law license was suspended for 60 days in part for her misrepresenting facts while serving as Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney.

For nearly six years Grazzini-Rucki has falsely claimed she is homeless and destitute in an attempt to manipulate public opinion and the legal system.

In reality, Grazzini-Rucki had access to over $2 million from her family in the last eight years, and the total amount of her current net worth is unknown.

Grazzini-Rucki’s false claims of homelessness are part of a documented pattern of lies from Grazzini-Rucki, who admitted during her criminal trial that she had repeatedly been “dishonest” in previous court hearings.

But as Grazzini-Rucki sits in jail in Clearwater, Florida, awaiting transport back to Minnesota, further confirmation that she has not been “homeless” could have serious ramifications when Grazzini-Rucki eventually appears again in a courtroom in Dakota County. Continue reading →

Michelle MacDonald’s law license ‘conditionally reinstated’

March 31, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald’s law license has been “conditionally reinstated” by the Minnesota Supreme Court effective today subject to her completion of the written portion of the Bar exam “on the subject of professional responsibility…”

MacDonald will remain on supervised probation for two years with numerous conditions limiting her practice of law.

MacDonald has until January 17, 2019, to provide verification that she has completed the written portion of the Bar exam “on the subject of professional responsibility…” or she will be automatically re-suspended “pending proof of successful completion of the examination…”

A judicial referee appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court recommended last year that MacDonald’s law license be suspended for a minimum of 60 days, followed by two years of probation, in response to an attorney complaint filed against MacDonald in August 2016.

The conditions of MacDonald’s two-year probation include that she will be supervised by an attorney appointed by the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.

MacDonald is prohibited from engaging in “the solo practice of law,” and she must “work in a setting where she is in daily contact with, and under the direct supervision of another Minnesota licensed attorney.” Continue reading →

Grazzini-Rucki falsely claimed she was homeless when jailed in Florida

March 29, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki falsely told law enforcement at Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida that she was homeless despite living in a nearby waterfront estate community.

After a warrant was issued for her arrest Monday, Grazzini-Rucki turned herself in at approximately 9:00 PM on Tuesday evening at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office which is located just seven miles away from her home in Clearwater, Florida

According to public court documents and staff at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Grazzini-Rucki claimed she was homeless when being booked into custody.

Grazzini-Rucki had her first appearance yesterday at 1:30 PM at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater, Florida.

In July 2016, Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

The girls’ father, David Rucki, was awarded full custody of all five of his children in November 2013, while two of his daughters remained missing.

On November 18, 2015, the girls were found living on a ranch in northern Minnesota by law enforcement, headed by the Lakeville Police Department.

The Rucki sisters were missing for a total of 944 days and were reunited with their father days after they were found.

They continue to live with their father and other siblings at the family’s home in Lakeville. Continue reading →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki in custody in Florida

March 29, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

UPDATE (10:30 AM, Thursday, March 29, 2018) – According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki remains in custody. Grazzini-Rucki will be transferred back to Minnesota, but there is no public information at this time as to when she will appear in Minnesota to be re-sentenced. Stay tuned for updates.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE (8:44 AM, Wednesday, March 28, 2018) – According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Clearwater, Florida, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was booked into custody at 9:26 PM EST.

There is no information at this time as to when she will be transported back to Minnesota. Stay tuned for updates.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE (5:52 AM, Wednesday, March 28, 2018) – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is in custody at the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida, after a warrant was issued for her arrest when she failed to appear at her re-sentencing hearing on Monday related to her 2016 conviction on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

According to the jail roster, Grazzini-Rucki was booked into the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida late last evening.

No other information is available at this time as to how Grazzini-Rucki was apprehended by law enforcement in Florida.

The girls’ father, David Rucki, was awarded full custody of all five of his children in November 2013, while two of his daughters remained missing.

On November 18, 2015, the girls were found living on a ranch in northern Minnesota by law enforcement, headed by the Lakeville Police Department.

The Rucki sisters were missing for a total of 944 days and were reunited with their father days after they were found.

They continue to live with their father and other siblings at the family’s home in Lakeville.

‘Homeless’ Sandra Grazzini-Rucki using an alias and living in waterfront estate community in Florida

In January, Missing in Minnesota published information based on public records which showed that a person named “Jaclyn Auld” with the same birthday as Grazzini-Rucki was residing with Jack Auld in Clearwater, Florida.

Grazzini-Rucki’s address was also recently updated in the public court file to Auld’s Florida home after court documents sent to Grazzini-Rucki’s previous mailing address were returned to the court by the United States Postal Service (USPS) with Grazzini-Rucki’s new Florida address.

Grazzini-Rucki had been using the residential address of her family court attorney Michelle MacDonald as her mailing address. Based on records with the USPS, the mail forwarding service expired on December 14, 2017.

Auld was with Grazzini-Rucki at the Star Island Resort and Club in Kissimmee, Florida on October 18, 2015, when she was located by the United States Marshals Service a month before Samantha and Gianna Rucki were found.

Mr. Auld had reportedly cooperated with law enforcement and helped lead them to Grazzini-Rucki.

Auld has described Grazzini-Rucki as his “best friend” and “soul mate.”

Follow Missing in Minnesota on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news on Grazzini-Rucki’s next court appearance in Minnesota.

Allison Mann contributed to this story.

UPDATE: Arrest warrant issued for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

March 28, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

UPDATE (5:52 AM, Wednesday, March 28, 2018) – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is in custody at the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida. Continue reading →