Category Legal Developments

Dede Evavold ignores court order to remove all posts about Rucki family, fails to report to jail

March 9, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold ignored a court order issued by Judge Kathleen Gearin in Dakota County last week which ordered Evavold to “remove ALL blogs/postings, social media postings, or internet postings” about David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family which violate a Harassment Restraining Order by 9:00 AM today, or report to jail in Dakota County.

As of 9:00 AM, Evavold had not removed the content, nor had she reported to jail in Dakota County.

After Evavold missed the 9:00 AM deadline detailed in Judge Gearin’s order, the attorney for the Rucki family, Lisa Elliott, filed an Affidavit of Non-Compliance with the court because Evavold did not comply with Judge Gearin’s order.

Elliott also requested that a warrant be immediately issued for Evavold’s arrest for failure to comply with Judge Gearin’s order.

As of 3:30 PM, Evavold’s blog, and social media accounts are still filled with posts and content about the Rucki family.

The request for an arrest warrant for Evavold had not been signed by the court.

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 →

Dede Evavold ordered to remove all posts about Rucki family, or go to jail

March 1, 2018 Comments Off read Angela Young, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

A judge in Dakota County ordered Dede Evavold to “remove ALL blogs/postings, social media postings, or internet postings” about David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family which violate a Harassment Restraining Order granted by a court in Dakota County in the next eight days or she will go to jail for 30 days.

On Tuesday, Judge Kathleen Gearin found Evavold was in constructive civil contempt of court at an emergency hearing held at Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

The emergency court hearing was scheduled after Lisa Elliott, who serves as the attorney for the Rucki family, filed an emergency motion with the court earlier this month which included over 200 pages of exhibits documenting Evavold’s repeated violations of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO).

Elliott’s exhibits documented nearly 20 posts published on Evavold’s blog which violated the HRO since the last court hearing on December 13, 2017. At the court hearing, Evavold was reminded by Judge Philip Kanning that the HRO granted by Judge Karen Asphaug in July remains in effect.

In a court order released this afternoon, Judge Gearin went further than the posts identified by Elliott by ordering Evavold to “remove ALL blogs/postings, social media postings, or internet postings that refer to the Rucki family as named in the Harassment Restraining Order…”

If Evavold does not remove the posts by March 9, 2018, at 9:00 AM she will go to jail for 30 days. Continue reading →

Dede Evavold ordered to remove harassing posts about Rucki family, or she’ll go to jail for 30 days

February 27, 2018 Comments Off read Angela Young, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold was ordered to remove 20 blog posts about David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family which violate a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) granted by a court in Dakota County by March 9, or she will go to jail for 30 days.

Judge Kathleen Gearin found Evavold was in constructive civil contempt of court at an emergency hearing held today at Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

After finding Evavold in contempt of court, Judge Gearin sentenced Evavold to 30 days in jail for her failure to comply with orders issued in the case.

But Judge Gearin stayed the jail sentence for ten days, allowing Evavold to comply with her order by removing the posts from her blog.

If before March 9, 2018, at 9:00 AM, Evavold has complied with all of the orders issued, she will not have to report to jail in Dakota County.

“You may purge yourself from this contempt,” said Judge Gearing to Evavold.

Judge Gearin went on to remind Evavold that she faces further contempt of court charges if she continues to post about David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family.

Continue reading →

Emergency court hearing tomorrow on Dede Evavold’s harassment of Rucki family

February 26, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for an emergency hearing about her continual harassment of David Rucki, his children, and other members of the Rucki family.

Tomorrow’s hearing will be nearly the tenth court hearing held in the last year related to Evavold’s persistent harassment of the Rucki family. Both in and out of the courtroom Evavold has shown contempt for the Rucki family and the legal system.

Evavold was so brazen to even flash the “victory” sign as she walks into a courthouse in Dakota County last year for a hearing about her harassing and threatening behavior. Continue reading →

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

February 22, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

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.

Continue reading →

Emergency court hearing scheduled about Dede Evavold’s continued harassment of Rucki family

February 14, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

An emergency court hearing has been scheduled in Dakota County over Dede Evavold’s continual harassment of David Rucki and his family.

Lisa Elliott, who serves as the attorney for the Rucki family, filed an emergency motion with the court yesterday which included over 200 pages of exhibits documenting Evavold’s repeated violations of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) granted by a court in Dakota County in July 2017.

The motion filed by Elliott also requested that Evavold be held in constructive civil contempt of court for her refusal to remove a threatening blog post which contained the private address of the Rucki family.

Late yesterday afternoon, the court granted Elliott’s request for an emergency hearing and scheduled the hearing for February 27, at Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

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

February 8, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments, Media

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

February 6, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

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.

Michelle MacDonald’s law license officially suspended

February 1, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

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.

The 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

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

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 hearings. Continue reading →

Minnesota Supreme Court denies Dede Evavold and Sandra Grazzini-Rucki petitions

January 24, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

The Minnesota Supreme Court has denied the petitions filed by Deirdre “Dede” Evavold and Sandra Grazzini-Rucki to review their criminal convictions for their role in the disappearance of two of Grazzini-Rucki’s children.

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

Grazzini-Rucki’s petition was denied last week by the Minnesota Supreme Court, and Evavold’s petition was denied in an order released this morning.

Evavold’s legal troubles are not over, as her 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 is scheduled for April 23, 2018. Continue reading →

Michelle MacDonald’s law license suspended by Minnesota Supreme Court

January 17, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Michelle MacDonald

The Minnesota Supreme Court has suspended Michelle MacDonald’s law license for a minimum of 60 days, and she will be on supervised probation in response to an attorney complaint filed against MacDonald in August 2016.

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, which would include a mental health evaluation.

But the final order from the Minnesota Supreme Court did not include a mental health evaluation which triggered Associate Justice Anne McKeig to dissent in part from the court’s decision.

The conditions of MacDonald’s two-year probation include that her probation 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.”

The order from the Minnesota Supreme court states that the “attorney who directly supervises [MacDonald’s] work must co-sign all pleadings, briefs, and other court documents that respondent files. This attorney may not be an associate who works for respondent’s law firm. Any attorney or law firm with whom she practices shall be informed of the terms of this probation.”

MacDonald did not respond to a request for comment on the order from the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Continue reading →

Criminal trial scheduled for Dede Evavold’s harassment of Rucki family

January 11, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

Dede Evavold’s 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 has been scheduled for April 23, 2018.

The criminal trial was scheduled at a pre-trial hearing held on Tuesday at the Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Evavold was charged in September 2017 with three criminal counts of violating a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) granted by a court in Dakota County in July 2017.

According to public court documents, Evavold has also been “ordered to appear at a Dakota County Book and Release Center, to be booked, fingerprinted, and photographed.”

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

January 9, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Legal Developments

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

January 8, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Deirdre Evavold, Michelle MacDonald

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 →