Timeline of Events
AUGUST 20, 2019 – MICHELLE MACDONALD’S LAWSUIT AGAINST MICHAEL BRODKORB AND MISSING IN MINNESOTA IS DISMISSED IN DAKOTA COUNTY
A judge in Dakota County 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.
JULY 10, 2019 – LAWYERS BOARD CONFIRMS YEARLONG INVESTIGATION INTO MICHELLE MACDONALD CONTINUES
The yearlong investigation by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility into alleged violations by Michelle MacDonald of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct governing licensed attorneys continues according to a letter from the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
MARCH 6, 2019 – JUDGE ORDERS MICHELLE MACDONALD TO PAY FEES AFTER LAWSUIT DISMISSED
A judge in Ramsey County ordered Michelle MacDonald to pay the filing fees of Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota related to MacDonald’s unsuccessful lawsuit.
MARCH 1, 2019 – MICHELLE MACDONALD’S LAWSUIT AGAINST MICHAEL BRODKORB AND MISSING IN MINNESOTA IS DISMISSED IN RAMSEY COUNTY
A judge in Ramsey County dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Michelle MacDonald against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota. Judge Richard H. Kyle, Jr. granted the motion for summary judgment filed by Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota in October 2018.
AUGUST 16, 2018 – COURT HEARING HELD ON SANCTIONS AGAINST MICHELLE MACDONALD
A court hearing was held at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota regarding the Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions filed against Michelle MacDonald in response to MacDonald’s lawsuit. A request was also made to dismiss MacDonald’s lawsuit.
JULY 31, 2018 – A MOTION FOR RULE 11 SANCTIONS AGAINST LARRY FROST ARE WITHDRAWN
The Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions against Larry Frost was withdrawn, as Frost would no longer serve as MacDonald’s attorney.
JUNE 29, 2018 – LAWYERS BOARD CONFIRMS INVESTIGATION INTO MICHELLE MACDONALD
The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility confirmed in a letter that an investigation into Michelle MacDonald had been started based on the complaint filed by Michael Brodkorb and Allison Mann.
JUNE 29, 2018 – COURT STAFF IN DAKOTA COUNTY REOPENS CASE FILE
Court staff in Dakota County reopened the case file one day after Michelle MacDonald called court staff in Dakota County and deceived them into administratively closing the file about the lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota. Our attorney, Nathan Hansen, contacted Dakota County to overturn MacDonald’s improper request.
JUNE 28, 2018 – MICHELLE MACDONALD CALLS COURT STAFF IN DAKOTA COUNTY AND DECEIVES THEM INTO CLOSING FILE
Michelle MacDonald called court staff in Dakota County and deceived them into administratively closing the file about the lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota. Our attorney, Nathan Hansen, contacted Dakota County to overturn MacDonald’s improper request.
JUNE 25, 2018 – RULE 11 MOTION FOR SANCTIONS IN RAMSEY COUNTY SERVED ON MICHELLE MACDONALD AND LARRY FROST
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.
JUNE 22, 2018 – MICHELLE MACDONALD’S PARALEGAL SENDS LETTER CLAIMING LAWSUIT WAS MISTAKENLY FILED IN DAKOTA COUNTY
Michelle MacDonald’s paralegal Debbie Sampson sends a letter to the Dakota County Court Administrator claiming the filing of MacDonald’s lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota was done “in error.”
JUNE 18, 2018 – RULE 11 MOTION FOR SANCTIONS IN DAKOTA COUNTY SERVED ON MICHELLE MACDONALD AND LARRY FROST
Nathan M. Hansen served Michelle MacDonald and her supervising attorney, Larry A, Frost, a Rule 11 Motion for Sanctions in response to MacDonald’s lawsuit filed in Dakota County.
JUNE 18, 2018 – MICHELLE MACDONALD FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST MICHAEL BRODKORB AND MISSING IN MINNESOTA IN RAMSEY COUNTY
Michelle MacDonald files the same lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota in Ramsey County.
JUNE 15, 2018 – MICHELLE MACDONALD FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST MICHAEL BRODKORB AND MISSING IN MINNESOTA IN DAKOTA COUNTY
Michelle MacDonald files her lawsuit against Michael Brodkorb and Missing in Minnesota in Dakota County.
JUNE 14, 2018 – MICHELLE MACDONALD SERVES LAWSUIT ON MICHAEL BRODKORB AND MISSING IN MINNESOTA
Michelle MacDonald served a lawsuit on Michael Brodkorb, and Missing in Minnesota, alleging defamation, defamation per se, and defamation by implication.
JANUARY 23, 2017 – DOUG AND GINA DAHLEN PLEAD GUILTY TO ONE COUNT EACH OF DEPRIVATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Doug and Gina Dahlen each pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of parental rights for their role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, Minnesota.
NOVEMBER 10, 2016 – DEDE EVAVOLD SENTENCED
Dede Evavold was sentenced 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 two sisters from Lakeville.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 – JURY FINDS DEDE EVAVOLD GUILTY OF SIX COUNTS OF DEPRIVATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Dede Evavold was convicted on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. It took the jury at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hasting less than an hour to convict Evavold on all criminal counts she faced.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 – SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI SENTENCED
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was sentenced to serve 34 days in jail and for the following six years, she will serve 15 days in jail on November 18 for the next six years – the anniversary of the day her daughters were found, for her involvement in the disappearance of her two daughters.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 – DEDE EVAVOLD’S CRIMINAL TRIAL BEGINS IN DAKOTA COUNTY
The criminal trial of Dede Evavold, who has been charged with six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of two children, is scheduled to begin at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota.
JULY 28, 2016 – JURY FINDS SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI GUILTY OF SIX COUNTS OF DEPRIVATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty on six counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of her daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken near their home on April 19, 2013 during a custody and divorce proceeding involving their parents.
JULY 18, 2016 – START OF SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI’S CRIMINAL TRIAL
The criminal trial of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, who has been charged with eight felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of her daughters, is scheduled to begin at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota.
APRIL 6, 2016 – ABC’s “20/20″ BROADCASTS “FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW”
ABC’s “20/20” broadcast their episode on the on the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, called “Footprints in the Snow.”
DECEMBER 11, 2015 – CRIMINAL CHARGES ANNOUNCED AGAINST EVAVOLD, DAHLENS
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office announced criminal charges against Deirdre Evavold, Douglas Dahlen, and his wife Gina Dahlen for their involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. Evavold and the Dahlens were each charged with two felony counts of deprivation of parental rights.
NOVEMBER 18, 2015 – SAMANTHA AND GIANNA RUCKI ARE FOUND
Samantha and Gianna Rucki are found living on a ranch in northern Minnesota – 944 days after they disappeared.
OCTOBER 18, 2015 – SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI ARRESTED IN FLORIDA
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is arrested at the Star Island Resort and Club in Kissimmee, Florida. According to court documents, “Grazzini-Rucki requested that Deirdre Evavold be contacted after her arrest.”
AUGUST 12, 2015 – ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI
An arrest warrant is issued for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, who would later be charged with six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights involving the disappearance of her daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki.
APRIL 19, 2013 – SAMANTHA AND GIANNA RUCKI DISAPPEAR
Samantha and Gianna Rucki disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents.
FEBRUARY 26, 2013 – MICHELLE MACDONALD’S FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT FOR SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI
Michelle MacDonald makes her first appearance on behalf of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki in family court. MacDonald is the fourth attorney to be hired by Grazzini-Rucki for her divorce. Lisa Elliott continues to serve as David Rucki’s attorney.
JANUARY 8, 2013 – MICHELLE MACDONALD BEGINS SERVING AS SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI’S ATTORNEY
Michelle MacDonald begins serving as Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s new attorney. MacDonald is the fourth attorney to be hired by Grazzini-Rucki. Lisa Elliott continues to serve as David Rucki’s attorney.
APRIL 21, 2011 – SANDRA GRAZZINI-RUCKI FILES FOR DIVORCE
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki files for divorce from David Rucki. The divorce is finalized on May 12, 2011. On September 23, 2011, The court vacated the first divorce decree between Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki, “based on fraud and misrepresentation by [Sandra Grazzini-Rucki], among other reasons.”
AUGUST 31, 1991 – SANDRA GRAZZINI & DAVID RUCKI MARRIED
Sandra Grazzini and David Rucki were married on August 31, 1991 in Edina, Minnesota.