Category Analysis

Michelle MacDonald being investigated by lawyers board

Michelle MacDonald is being investigated by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility for alleged violations of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct governing licensed attorneys.

The investigation into the alleged violations by MacDonald was opened after Missing in Minnesota filed a formal complaint with the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility last week after MacDonald filed a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit against Missing in Minnesota, which appears to be in violation of an Order of the Minnesota Supreme Court which details the conditions by which MacDonald is allowed to practice law.

The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility confirmed today in a letter that an investigation had been started based on the complaint filed by Missing in Minnesota which alleges numerous violations by MacDonald.

The filing of the complaint is permitted by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, as Missing in Minnesota is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by MacDonald. Continue reading

Video shows MacDonald and Evavold partying at GOP State Convention

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

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.

Justice Margaret Chutich

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.

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Dede Evavold may have violated her probation again

Dede Evavold, who may have her probation revoked next month, may have violated her probation again by having contact with co-defendant Sandra Grazzini-Rucki.

Evavold was convicted in September 2016 of six felonies for her role in the disappearance of Samantha Rucki and her sister Gianna, who were abducted near their home on Lakeville by their mother Grazzini-Rucki, during a custody and divorce proceeding.

Evavold’s probation conditions specifically restrict contact with “Co-Defendant(s), Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, Gina Dahlen and Douglas Dahlen.”

On May 10, 2018, the United States Supreme Court docketed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed on behalf of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki regarding the contested child support matter stemming from her divorce from David Rucki. Continue reading

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

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.

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

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

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

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

O Canada: ‘Homeless’ and ‘penniless’ Grazzini-Rucki stashed money in Canadian trust company

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, who claims she is “homeless” and “penniless”, had money deposited in a Canadian financial services corporation as recently as December 2017, according to information mistakenly included in a post on Dede Evavold’s blog.

The news of Grazzini-Rucki having financial assets in Canada comes weeks after the discovery that Grazzini-Rucki has been actually living in a waterfront estate community in Florida under an assumed name.

As previously noted on Missing in Minnesota, Grazzini-Rucki has falsely claimed she is homeless and destitute in an attempt to manipulate public opinion and the legal system for nearly six years.

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.

The use of foreign banks to hide assets shows the depth of Grazzini-Rucki’s efforts to mask her true lifestyle.

Grazzini-Rucki was convicted in July 2016 of six felonies for her role in in the disappearance of her daughters. Dede Evavold, a friend of Grazzini-Rucki, was found guilty in September 2016 on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related her involvement in disappearance the girls.

Grazzini-Rucki’s false claims of being “homeless” and “penniless” 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.

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Lisa Elliott named one of Minnesota Lawyer’s ‘Attorneys of the Year’

Lisa Elliott, who serves as David Rucki’s family court attorney was named one of Minnesota Lawyer’s Attorneys of the Year for 2017 at a ceremony last evening in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Lawyer “recognizes the best achievements in the Minnesota legal profession with the Attorneys of the Year awards.”

Elliott has continued to serve as David Rucki’s attorney since 2011, while Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has been represented by numerous other attorneys, including Michelle MacDonald.

In a story about Elliott, Minnesota Lawyer highlighted that “Elliott’s tenacity prevailed in what is considered the first significant case in Minnesota dealing with parental alienation.”

Elliott told Minnesota Lawyer, “I like helping people through some pretty tough stages in their lives and see them come out the other side.”

David Rucki praised Elliott’s work, “on behalf of myself and my family, I want to thank Lisa Elliott for being an amazing ally and advocate over the last seven years.”

“Lisa has gone above and beyond to fight for my children and me more times than I can count. Congratulations and thank you to Lisa and everyone at Elliott Law Office,” said David. Continue reading

Dede Evavold’s blog maliciously accuses David Rucki of murdering his children

Dede Evavold’s blog has published a malicious post claiming David Rucki murdered three of his children while married to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki.

This heinous and completely unfounded allegation comes at a time when Evavold is facing a criminal trial for her continued violations of a Harassment Restraining Order granted by a court in Dakota County to protect David Rucki and his family from her harassment.

Missing in Minnesota is not linking to the posts published on Evavold’s blog because of the incendiary tone of material and also due to her perpetual harassment of the Rucki family.

Evavold was convicted in September 2016 of six felonies 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. Continue reading

Michelle MacDonald’s law license officially suspended

Michelle MacDonald, a licensed attorney in Minnesota for 30 years and who twice ran for the Minnesota Supreme Court, is now officially suspended from the practice of law.

In an order issued two weeks ago by the Minnesota Supreme Court, MacDonald’s license has been suspended for a minimum of 60 days. MacDonald must complete a series of tasks prior to being eligible for reinstatement of her license to a probationary status for a period of two years.

Among the conditions placed on MacDonald if her license is reinstated will be a restriction on her ability to have a solo law practice.

MichelleMacDonaldSuspenedLawLicenseThe court will also require MacDonald to “work in a setting where she is in daily contact with, and under the direct supervision of, another Minnesota licensed attorney.”

Before being eligible for reinstatement, MacDonald must prove that she is prepared to cease solo practice.

In addition to working daily with a supervising attorney who must co-sign all court pleadings, MacDonald must also work with a probation supervisor appointed by the Board to assure her compliance with the terms of her probation.

In recent days, MacDonald’s law office in West St. Paul has become dark, unkempt, and ragged, without any signs of the active law practice MacDonald had years ago. Continue reading

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

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, who claimed in a radio interview on Saturday that she is “homeless” is actually living in a waterfront estate community in Florida under an assumed name.

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 hearingsContinue reading

Dede Evavold ordered by court to remove threatening post targeting Rucki family

Dede Evavold has been ordered by a court in Dakota County to remove a threatening blog post that contained the private address of the Rucki family.

The order requiring Evavold to remove her threatening blog post was included in court documents signed by Judge Philip Kanning and filed today in Dakota County District Court.

Judge Kanning granted the request filed by Lisa Elliott on behalf of the Rucki family at a court hearing last month on the Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) granted by a court in Dakota County last year. Continue reading

Michelle MacDonald helped Dede Evavold in masking the extent of her role in the disappearance of Rucki sisters

Michelle MacDonald, who serves as Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney, helped Dede Evavold during a media interview in masking the extent of her full role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki based on a video published by Evavold.

In the video published by Evavold last week, MacDonald instructs Evavold on how to correctly answer a question from the producer with ABC’s “20/20” after Evavold mistakenly admitted a key element of her criminal involvement in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters in an interview.

This video was recorded before Evavold was charged with four additional felonies, and before she was convicted of a total of six felonies for her involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

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

MacDonald’s client, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, was also convicted of six felonies for her role in the disappearance of her daughters.

The video provides further evidence of MacDonald’s direct involvement in the propaganda machinery of Grazzini-Rucki and Evavold. Continue reading

Missing in Minnesota 2017: The year in review

Missing in Minnesota continues to document and report on the true story of two sisters who vanished, the father who kept searching, and the adults who conspired to keep the truth hidden.

In 2017, Missing in Minnesota published over 70 stories, over 500 tweets, and built a Facebook Page with over 10,000 followers which provided detailed breaking news, analysis, and commentary on the continuing legal developments involving the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

The most significant change to Missing in Minnesota in 2017 was the additional of Allison Mann, who aside from contributing to the published content, Mann has provided strategic direction as Missing in Minnesota transitions from an online format to additional mediums which will be announced in 2018, so stay tuned! Continue reading