Category Legal Developments

Grazzini-Rucki announces lawsuit against ABC’s ’20/20′, Elizabeth Vargas

April 11, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments, Media

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki announced last evening that she will be filing a defamation lawsuit against ABC, Inc, ABC’s “20/20”, and Elizabeth Vargas, the co-anchor of “20/20”.

Grazzini-Rucki’s announcement of the lawsuit comes one year after ABC’s “20/20” first broadcast of “Footprints in the Snow”, which focused on the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. On March 25, 2017, ABC’s “20/20” rebroadcast the episode with updated information.

The sisters were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

Grazzini-Rucki had tried to stop the rebroadcast of the episode which found no documentation to verify Grazzini-Rucki’s claim that she was abused by David Rucki. Grazzini-Rucki had taken to Facebook, calling the show “rank propaganda”and encouraging people to register complaints.

Public court records show that in the last ten years, Grazzini-Rucki has filed over 20 unsuccessful lawsuits in district, state, and federal court, including two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Grazzini-Rucki said last evening that she would be seeking “an ungodly amount” of money in her latest lawsuit. Continue reading →

Dede Evavold continues to flout conditions of her probation

April 5, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold, who was released from jail in January after being found guilty for her role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki from Lakeville, continues to reference the Rucki family on social media – a likely violation of her probation.

Evavold was charged in December 2015 related to her involvement in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters, who were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

She was convicted in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of the girls. Continue reading →

ABC’s ’20/20′ episode: One year later

March 27, 2017 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Douglas Dahlen, Gina Dahlen, Legal Developments, Media, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

On April 8, 2016, ABC’s “20/20” first broadcast “Footprints in the Snow”, which focused on the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

Last Saturday, ABC’s “20/20” rebroadcast the episode with updated information.

Since the episode first aired last April, there have been multiple developments involving many of the people interviewed. Continue reading →

For sale: infamous ranch where missing Lakeville sisters were held

March 20, 2017 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Douglas Dahlen, Gina Dahlen, Legal Developments

UPDATE: This post has been update to include the current sale price for the White Horse Ranch.

While they await sentencing for their role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, the owners of a rural ranch in northern Minnesota where the two missing sisters were held for over two years are selling the infamous property.

The White Horse Ranch, located in Herman, Minnesota is being sold by Doug and Gina Dahlen, who pleaded guilty in January for their involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki. Continue reading →

On This Date: Michelle MacDonald makes her first appearance in court for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

February 27, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald made her first appearance in family court on behalf of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki on February 26, 2013. MacDonald’s work on behalf of Grazzini-Rucki created controversy and turmoil in court, and MacDonald’s law license may be suspended for her conduct while serving as Grazzini-Rucki’s attorney.

Minutes into the court hearing, the judge said “this is not the way that I expected to start off this hearing.”

According to court documents from February 23, 2013, MacDonald requested the court take a roll call to determine the names of everyone in the courtroom, including members of the public. The court documents also show that MacDonald repeatedly interrupted the court proceedings, with MacDonald later apologizing for comments she made during the court hearing. Continue reading →

Michelle MacDonald discloses law enforcement considered her a ‘suspect’

February 21, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Media, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald has disclosed law enforcement considered her a “suspect” in the disappearance of the two sisters from Lakeville, according to a publication co-authored by MacDonald.

MacDonald serves as Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney. Grazzini-Rucki was convicted last July on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her two daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

In the publication, MacDonald provides details on a phone conversation she had with Lieutenant Jason Polinski of the Lakeville Police Department. According to MacDonald, Polinski said she was no longer considered a suspect:

“Finally, he said I was no longer a suspect unless someone came in with evidence I participated in the girls’ disappearance and I appeared on early on with eighteen others.”

MacDonald also admits in her publication that she “suspected the only evidence they have is that I’ve been Sandra’s attorney throughout her ordeal.” Continue reading →

Dede Evavold to appeal conviction for role in hiding children

February 8, 2017 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold, who was found guilty for her role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, is appealing her conviction, according to documents filed yesterday afternoon with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Evavold was charged in December 2015 related to her involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

She was convicted in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance the girls.

Evavold will serve as her own attorney

Evavold is not an attorney, but is an activist, who also ran a blog focused on exposing what Evavold and her supporters believe are injustices and corruption in the judicial system.

She served as her own attorney during her criminal trial and she will serve as her own attorney for the appeal. During her criminal trial, Evavold did not offer any evidence on her behalf, nor did she cross-examine any witness or give an opening or closing statement during her trial.

Evavold is a strong opponent of family courts and attended numerous court hearings in Dakota County involving the Rucki family, providing assistance to Grazzini-Rucki and MacDonald.

The court document for Evavold’s appeal were served and delivered to the court by Tim Kinley, the former host of a cable-access show which focused on alleged “corruption” in the court system.

Evavold paid the $550 fee to file the appeal, and publicly available court records show Evavold made a $250 payment toward the over $12,000 in restitution, fines, and fees assessed by Dakota County related to her conviction.

Continue reading →

Dede Evavold delinquent on paying restitution, fines, and fees

February 1, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold has yet to pay any of the restitution, fines, and fees assessed by Dakota County after she was convicted last year for her role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville.

She was convicted in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of the girls. Continue reading →

Dede Evavold bizarre post likely probation violation

January 29, 2017 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold, who was released from jail last week after being found guilty for her role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki from Lakeville, has mentioned the Rucki family on social media, a likely violation of her probation.

She was convicted in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of the girls. Continue reading →

Michelle MacDonald appeals possible suspension of law license, campaign law violation

January 27, 2017 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald is appealing both a recommendation from a Minnesota Supreme Court referee that her law license be suspended and a ruling from a three-judge panel which ruled she “knowingly violated” campaign law when she falsely claimed her campaign was endorsed by a non-existent Republican organization.

Court documents show attorneys for MacDonald filed paperwork with the Minnesota Court of Appeals within the last few days on both appeals.

Minnesota Supreme Court referee recommended suspension of Michelle MacDonald’s law license

A judicial referee appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court recommended earlier this month that Michelle MacDonald’s law license be suspended for a minimum of 60 days, followed by two years of probation, which would include a mental health evaluation.

The recommendation by Judge Heather Sweetland comes after a two day hearing was held last November about an attorney complaint filed against MacDonald, who was a candidate for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014 and 2016, and who also serves as Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney.

MacDonald was arrested during a family court hearing in September 2013 while serving as Grazzini-Rucki’s attorney. The public booking from MacDonald’s arrest by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is pictured above-left. Continue reading →

Dede Evavold released from jail; remains on probation for eight years

January 25, 2017 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold, who was found guilty for her role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, was released from jail yesterday after serving 118 days in jail. Evavold has been in jail since she was convicted last September.

She was convicted in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance the girls.

Evavold will remain on probation for eight years

Evavold must pay $10,000 to the Minnesota Crime Victims Reparations Board. She must also pay two fines of $944, which represents the 944 days the Rucki sisters were missing.

Evavold is also prohibited from having any contact with minor children and she must undergo a forensic psychological evaluation and cognitive skills evaluation.

In October, Evavold wrote a threatening handwritten letter claiming “that from jail, I can use the truth” to “completely destroy [the] blackened reputation” of judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, and elected officials from Dakota County.

Evavold’s request to serve the remainder of her jail sentence for 2016 and 2017 on electronic home monitoring was denied twice by Judge Karen Karen Asphaug. Continue reading →

Dahlens plead guilty in court for role in disappearance of Rucki sisters

January 23, 2017 Comments Off read Douglas Dahlen, Gina Dahlen, Legal Developments

The owners of a ranch in rural northern Minnesota each pleaded guilty today to one count of deprivation of parental rights for their role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, Minnesota.

On April 19, 2013, Samantha and Gianna Rucki disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

DougGinaDahlen — Doug Dahlen, Gina Dahlen. Picture source: Dakota County Sheriff’s Office

Doug and Gina Dahlen both admitted in a court hearing this morning at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, that Samantha and Gianna Rucki were delivered to their residence at the White Horse Ranch in Herman, Minnesota on April 21, 2013.

According to the criminal complaint, the girls were driven to the ranch by their mother, Grazzini-Rucki and her friend, Dede Evavold.

Gina Dahlen cried as she stood before Judge Karen Asphaug and pleaded guilty to knowingly depriving David Rucki of his parental rights after he was awarded custody of all five of his children in November 2013. In total, Samantha and Gianna were held at the White Horse Ranch for 942 days.

Both Doug and Gina Dahlen admitted in court that they knew David Rucki had been awarded custody of his children and that they failed to contact to David Rucki and law enforcement that the missing Rucki kids were living on their ranch. Continue reading →

Grazzini-Rucki boasts she’s violated court orders, talked with co-defendants

January 9, 2017 Comments Off read Douglas Dahlen, Gina Dahlen, Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki boasted in a recent radio interview that she has violated court orders by communicating with additional people who have been criminally charged related to the disappearance of her two daughters.

On December 21, 2016, Grazzini-Rucki was interviewed by Fletcher Long for his show, “The Long Version.” During the interview, Grazzini-Rucki was asked if she had communicated with Doug and Gina Dahlen.

According to the criminal complaints filed against the Dahlens, Samantha and Gianna Rucki were delivered to the Dahlen’s residence at the White Horse Ranch in northern Minnesota on April 21, 2013 by their mother, Grazzini-Rucki and her friend, Dede Evavold.

Grazzini-Rucki was convicted in July on six counts of deprivation of parent rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters. Evavold was also found guilty in September on six counts of deprivation of parental rights.

Continue reading →

MN Supreme Court referee recommends suspension of Michelle MacDonald’s law license

January 5, 2017 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

A judicial referee appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court has recommended that Michelle MacDonald’s law license be suspended for a minimum of 60 days, followed by two years of probation, which would include a mental health evaluation.

The recommendation by Judge Heather Sweetland comes after a two day hearing was held in November about an attorney complaint filed against MacDonald, who was a candidate for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014 and 2016, and who also serves as Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney.

Below are the findings issued by Judge Sweetland regarding MacDonald.

Michelle MacDonald – Referee Findings Fact, Conclusion of Law, Recommendation for Discipline – January 03,… by Michael Brodkorb on Scribd

Attorney complaint against MacDonald alleged violation of rules governing attorney conduct

The 16-page petition for disciplinary action for violating of rules governing attorney conduct was filed against MacDonald by the Director of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, Susan M. Humiston

Continue reading →

Court denies second request from Evavold to jail serve sentence on home monitoring

January 3, 2017 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

For the second time in the last month, Dede Evavold’s request to serve the remainder of her jail sentence for 2016 and 2017 on electronic home monitoring has been denied.

Evavold was charged last December related to her involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki who ran from their home on April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents. She was found guilty in September on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance the girls.

Judge said Evavold “showed no remorse” for her crimes

Judge Karen Asphaug said Evavold “showed no remorse or comprehension” for her actions against the Rucki family, adding that Evavold’s actions “disrupted a family for 944 days.”

Evavold was sentenced last November in Dakota County to serve 180 days in jail and she will remain on probation for the next eight years for her role in the disappearance of the two sisters from Lakeville.

Evavold is a close friend and confidant of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, the mother of the Rucki sisters, who she met during Grazzini-Rucki’s divorce with David Rucki. In July, Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her involvement in the disappearance of her daughters.

Continue reading →