Category Legal Developments

Dakota County judge dismisses lawsuit filed by Michelle MacDonald

August 20, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

A judge in Dakota County on Tuesday dismissed the “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit filed by Michelle MacDonald against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota. The court did not rule on a request for sanctions against MacDonald based on her conduct since the filing of the lawsuit.

MacDonald also filed her lawsuit in Ramsey County and a hearing is scheduled for next month regarding sanctions against MacDonald.

MacDonald’s lawsuit filed in Ramsey County against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota remains active.

Last week, we published a story about the hearing held in Dakota County about MacDonald’s lawsuit.

Continue reading →

Court hearing held on sanctions against Michelle MacDonald

August 16, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

Judge Karen Asphaug heard arguments in a Dakota County courtroom today regarding the Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions filed against Michelle MacDonald in response to her lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota.

Judge Asphaug said she would be making a decision before our hearing on September 10 in Ramsey County regarding sanctions against MacDonald.

MacDonald’s attorney, Karlowba R. Adams Powell, made numerous false statements in court today and seemed unfamiliar with the messy procedural history created by MacDonald’s lawsuit. Adams Powell falsely claimed our attorney, Nathan Hansen filed duplicative pleadings in Dakota and Ramsey County. She also claimed Hansen was “harassing” MacDonald and accused him of “unprofessional conduct.”

Hansen corrected Adams Powell on her inaccurate statements in court. Continue reading →

UPDATE: Court hearing scheduled for sanctions against Michelle MacDonald

August 15, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

UPDATE (1:00 PM, Wednesday, August 15, 2018) – Larry Frost is no longer serving as Michelle MacDonald’s supervising attorney involving her lawsuit. Tomorrow’s hearing will focus on sanctions against Michelle MacDonald. This post has been updated to reflect this change. Continue reading →

Judge calls Evavold’s harassment of Rucki family ‘evil’

July 27, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

A judge in Dakota County has upheld the Harassment Restraining Order requested by David Rucki and his daughter, Samantha Rucki, against Dede Evavold, describing Evavold’s threatening behavior toward the Rucki family as “evil.”

“In the 34+ years the undersigned has served as a District or Senior Judge, never have I seen a case that represents harassment most evil,” wrote Judge Philip Kanning in his order released yesterday. “The Respondent’s actions have been intended to terrify, threaten and invade the privacy of the Petitioner and his minor children,” adding Judge Kanning.

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.

On July 28, 2017, a court in Dakota County found that “an immediate and present danger of harassment” by Evavold exists to warrant the granting of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) requested by David Rucki and his daughter, Samantha Rucki, against Evavold

In the last year, Evavold has repeatedly violated the explicit terms of her probation and the HRO by continuing to reference the Rucki family in her use of social media. Evavold’s blog has posted pictures of the Rucki family, their home in Lakeville, and the address to the home, in violation of the HRO and the conditions of her probation. Continue reading →

Motion for sanctions served on MacDonald’s new attorney

July 25, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

Karlowba R. Adams Powell, Michelle MacDonald’s new attorney, was served with a Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions today for filing MacDonald’s lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota a third time.

Nathan M. Hansen (above left), served Powell with a Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions this afternoon in response to Powell filing the same lawsuit yesterday that was previously filed by MacDonald in both Dakota and Ramsey counties.

Powell has been given 21 days to withdraw the lawsuit “with prejudice” or the Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions will be filed with the court.

Hansen wrote in the memorandum that he served on Powell, that “…Powell has knowingly filed the exact same Complaint in Ramsey County that she is well aware is also pending in Dakota County, it is for this reason she should face sanction under Minn. R. Civ. P. 11.”

Two court hearings – one in Dakota County and another in Ramsey County – have been scheduled about the previous Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions that have been filed against MacDonald. Continue reading →

Facing sanctions and lawyers board investigation, MacDonald hires new attorney

July 16, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

Facing sanctions and an investigation by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, Michelle MacDonald has retained a new attorney.

A Certificate of Representation for Karlowba R. Adams Powell (pictured above left via Twitter profile) to represent Michelle MacDonald was filed last Friday in Ramsey County.

According to public records, Ms. Powell law license was suspended last year for 45 days. As with MacDonald, Ms. Powell is currently on probation for 2 years.

It is unclear at this time what role Ms. Powell will have in MacDonald’s legal defense. Continue reading →

Michelle MacDonald being investigated by lawyers board

June 29, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

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 →

UPDATE – Attorney: MacDonald’s lawsuit is ‘frivolous and vexatious’

June 26, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald, Missing in Minnesota

UPDATE (8:15 AM, Tuesday, June 26, 2018) – Michelle MacDonald and her supervising attorney, Larry Frost, were served a Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions in Ramsey County for filing the same “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit in two counties. Last week, Michelle MacDonald and her supervising attorney, Larry Frost, were served with a Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions in Dakota County. Continue reading →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki moves back to her home in Florida

June 21, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is no longer in Minnesota and has moved back to her home in Florida, according to public records.

Last month, Grazzini-Rucki requested her probation be transferred from Minnesota to her home state of Flordia. The request was approved last week, and Grazzini-Rucki has since moved back to Florida.

Grazzini-Rucki was released from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee on May 15, 2018, 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 was living at an address in Stearns County after being released from prison. The requested transfer proves again that Grazzini-Rucki has ties to Florida including a residence.

Continue reading →

MacDonald sues Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota

June 14, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

Michelle MacDonald served a lawsuit today on Michael Brodkorb, and Missing in Minnesota, alleging defamation, defamation per se, and defamation by implication.

MacDonald is suing in part over the publication of a booking photo from her arrest during a court hearing involving Sandra Grazzini-Rucki on September 12, 2013, as well as our reporting that she was labeled a “person of interest” by the Lakeville Police Department in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

Missing in Minnesota has been threatened with legal action since 2016 by MacDonald over the use of her public booking from her arrest. In her own book, MacDonald acknowledged that law enforcement considered her a “person of interest” in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters. Continue reading →

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 →

Dede Evavold may have violated her probation again

May 23, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold

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 →

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 →