Posts tagged David Rucki

New book on the disappearance of Rucki sisters to be released in October

September 13, 2018 Comments Off read Analysis, Media, The Girls Are Gone

Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann announced today the upcoming release of their book, The Girls Are Gone which provides new details about the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki and the adults who conspired to keep the missing sisters and the truth hidden.

The Girls Are Gone will be published by Wise Ink Creative Publishing and will be released on October 23, 2018.

The book examines the events which led to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki abducting her daughters on April 19, 2013, during a custody dispute with her ex-husband, David Rucki. On November 18, 2015 –944 days after they disappeared – the girls were found living on a ranch in northern Minnesota by law enforcement, headed by the Lakeville Police Department.

During the last two years, Brodkorb and Mann have analyzed court documents, reviewed investigative files, and conducted numerous interviews to provide a completed story about how and why two children vanished from their family and friends for 944 days. The Girls Are Gone includes interviews with members of the Rucki family, including exclusive interviews with Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

“Through the strength and courage of David, Tammy, and all five of the children we have been able to dissect and study what happened to provide a look into how and why it did,” said Mann.

Criminal charges were filed against four people, including the girls’ mother, for their role in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters. The Girls Are Gone chronicles key events during the criminal trials of the people who were later convicted or pleaded guilty for their involvement in this heinous crime. The book examines the other adults who aided in the conspiracy to hide the truth and the Rucki sisters.

The book also discusses the connection between Michelle MacDonald, who is currently a candidate for the Minnesota Supreme Court, and two people convicted for their roles in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Dede Evavold. MacDonald was labeled a “person of interest” by the Lakeville Police Department in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki but did not cooperate in the investigation.

“Adults, many with families of their own turned a blind eye to the welfare of two children in favor of pursuing their personal vendettas,” said Brodkorb. “Fanaticism is the only word to describe it,” added Brodkorb.

Brodkorb and Mann will be on WCCO Radio today at 10 AM to discuss their book. The Girls Are Gone is available for pre-sale today and will be released on October 23, 2018.

UPDATE: Dede Evavold released from jail…for now

September 4, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments

UPDATE (4:05 PM, Tuesday, September 4, 2018) – Tomorrow’s court hearing has been canceled. It will be rescheduled after Dede Evavold’s upcoming criminal trial on October 15, 2018, for violations of an HRO granted to protect David Rucki and his family from Evavold’s harassment. Continue reading →

Restraining orders granted for distributing photograph of Michael Brodkorb’s family

August 30, 2018 Comments Off read Deirdre Evavold, Legal Developments, Missing in Minnesota

A judge in Dakota County granted a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) today against three people, including Dede Evavold, for their roles in surreptitiously obtaining and later distributing a photograph of Michael Brodkorb’s wife and minor children online.

The HROs were filed by Michael Brodkorb and Sarah Brodkorb in Dakota County against Diane Ristau of Medford, Carrie Beaudette of St. Joseph, and Dede Evavold of St. Cloud.

The photograph of Ms. Brodkorb with her minor children was distributed multiple times with false allegations on a social media account connected to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and her supporters.

The same social media account had been investigated by law enforcement for publishing threatening, harassing, and defamatory statements targeting judges, law enforcement, court staff, and journalists.

The HROs remain in effect until August 30, 2020. 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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

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

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 →

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 →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki to be re-sentenced tomorrow

March 25, 2018 Comments Off read Legal Developments, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki will be re-sentenced tomorrow after the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Grazzini-Rucki could execute the remainder of her criminal sentence.

She later appealed her criminal conviction to the Minnesota Supreme Court, but the court rejected her petition.

Grazzini-Rucki will appear in court tomorrow at 9:00 AM at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota.

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.

Since being convicted in July 2016 on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights, Grazzini-Rucki, and her supporters have continued their behavior of making false allegations against David Rucki, his family, the media, law enforcement, and the judiciary.

Her disdain for law enforcement and the court system has become more flagrant, her rhetoric more incendiary, and her behavior increasingly dangerous.

Grazzini-Rucki is currently on probation for her role in the disappearance of her children, which she has repeatedly violated. Last March, Grazzini-Rucki announced that she and others would be targeting the family members of judges, attorneys, and county staff, including their children. Continue reading →