Journalist Michael Volpe has extensively investigated the Grazzini-Rucki case
(Dakota County, MN) Journalist Michael Volpe writes a complaint letter to AM950 radio (see below), exposing a broadcast of the Matt McNeil show as spreading false and misleading information about the Grazzini-Rucki case.
In a shocking development, Volpe’s letter reveals that David Rucki has not only committed mortgage fraud during the divorce but has also conspired to illegally raid a trust that once belonged to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s father.The allegations implicate Rucki in serious crimes that if charged and convicted, could result in financial penalty of up to $25,000 and sentence him to up to 20 years in prison.
In a previous interview with reporter Laura Adelman, Rucki makes comments that suggest he did, in fact, raid Sandra’s trust for his own personal benefit: “Adelmann reports, “He also stated Grazzini-Rucki told him the trust has a provision that if she or other siblings were divorced and struggling financially, they could access some of its money and get some financial relief.” Revealing testimony highlights Grazzini-Rucki trial
If Rucki, did in fact, “access some of it’s money” he was committing a crime as this trust is a non-marital asset, and he has no legal claim to it; and took money without Sandra’s (the account holder) knowledge or consent.
David Rucki Facebook April 2016, Public Statement About Missing Daughters
Rucki does not deny that he concocted a “paper divorce” scam during divorce proceedings and did, in fact, engage in financial fraud. David Rucki “Paper Divorce” Scam
Judge David L Knutson (Dakota County, MN)
Judge David L Knutson, presiding over the Grazzini-Rucki divorce, was well-aware of Rucki’s scam and did nothing to prevent financial abuse from being committed against ex-wife, Sandra, and instead colluded with Rucki in his vendetta against her.
As a result of the over 4,000 court orders Judge Knutson has issued against Sandra, she is now forcibly removed from the lives of her children, homeless and destitute. Rucki has been awarded not only 100% of the multi-million dollar marital estate but Judge Knutson also awarded him all of Sandra’s earnings, financial assets, and personal property to be seized from her for the rest of her life. In addition, Judge Knutson has allowed, by court order, Rucki to dump millions of dollars of his personal and business debt onto Sandra, which she has been forced to repay. Sandra will never be able to regain financial stability due to the severity of the orders issues against her, and struggles for survival while Rucki lives like a king in his palatial estate in the wealthy suburb of Lakeville.
Rucki has been dubbed “Minnesota’s Wealthiest Welfare Recipient” because despite his wealth, Dakota County has extended welfare benefits to him claiming that he is impoverished. Dakota County has not asked that Rucki provide any proofs that all recipients must provide before qualifying for help. And during child support proceedings, Magistrate Maria Pastoor ordered that Rucki does not need to provide proof of income or assets, and prohibited Sandra and her attorney from receiving documents through discovery. Which means Dakota County is enabling, and assisting Rucki in what appears to be a variety of financial crimes.
What YOU Can to Do to Help:
Hold AM950 and the Matt McNeil show accountable for their inaccurate, and false reporting of the Grazzini-Rucki case.
Express your thoughts regarding the broadcast! Call or e-mail the station to demand a public retraction, and apology to Sandra.
From: Michael Volpe
Date: Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 12:00 PM Subject: Matt McNeil Show, Michael Brodkorb, and the Sandra Grazzini-Rucki case
To: comment@am950radio.com, chad@am950radio.com
Folks,
My name is Michael Volpe and I’ve done a lot of work on the Sandra Grazzini-Rucki case. I know that Mr. McNeil has had Michael Brodkorb on to talk about this case, and frankly, those broadcasts are nothing more than propaganda.
Source: Red Herring Alert (redherringalert.wordpress.com)
Mr. Brodkorb claims there is no documented evidence of abuse. I beg to differ. David Rucki is abusive and the evidence is overwhelming,
The second item includes this entry from Nico Rucki, from page 15 “The reporter stated that father told the reporter 1.5 years ago father stuck a gun to the child’s head when the child was eight years old.“
Now, if Nico told CPS that David Rucki stuck a gun to his head, why is he now saying he’s never seen his father be violent.
Second, I have recently discovered that David Rucki, along with Sandra’s sister Ann, have conspired together to raid a trust from Sandra’s father, Albert, to Sandra. This is part of a long conspiracy between Ann and David and in fact they are using the same playbook Ann used to put her parents into guardianship. You can find that court docket and photos of the trust attached.
I believe that Brodkorb claimed recently that she had access to $1 million (not sure how he knows the figure since it’s in shares) while claiming she was homeless. Of course, she knew nothing about this until two weeks ago.
This he did while the divorce was ongoing and obviously not reported in the divorce. This is a criminal conspiracy, to hide his abuse, to punish anyone who tries to get the truth out and to steal from Sandra’s father; that is RICO, Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act.
Realty Listing Photos Ireland Place
You can go and vet this story with the documents I provided. I hope you’ll do that but if you ignore it you are engaging in propaganda yourself.
You can reach me here. xxxxx
……..
“I always said no matter how much corruption there is, it’s never greater than the individual or the might of doing the right thing” – Frank Serpico
A post from the Carver County Corruption blog resurfaces, warning about the dangers of judges who abuse their authority; using the Grazzini-Rucki case as an example. The post results in a strong reaction from the public, who is appalled by the actions of Judge David L Knutson in this case.
Source: Carver County Corruption Blog
Date: May 20, 2013
Seventy-nine years ago, the world watched small groups seized power in Germany, Italy and Japan. Children were taken from their families and put into state-run schools. They were taught to be soldiers and murderers. Millions died. Billions of dollars of property was destroyed. Must we experience that again before we learn?
Power corrupts.
In Minnesota, judges can do anything they want to anyone without any consequence. We have allowed them to exercise unlimited power.
The Writers of Minnesota’s Constitution knew better. They authorized the legislature, Article VI, Section 9, to provide legislative oversight of the judiciary just as we have legislative oversight of the executive branch of Minnesota’s government through the Legislative Auditor. They knew that unlimited power leads to abuse. Judges should be accountable for their actions like other officials.
An Example
In August, 2012, David Rucki’s lawyer, Lisa Elliott, asked Dakota County Judge David Knutson to appoint Dr. Paul Reitman to be an expert witness. Dr. Reitman represents himself to be an expert on Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS). This is the theory that if a child dislikes a parent, it is the other parent’s fault. PAS has been completely discredited by the scientific community.
By order issued in mid-August , 2012, Judge Knutson appointed Dr. Reitman as an expert and ordered Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, “mother”, and her children to meet with Dr. Reitman. Mother and her four youngest children met with Dr. Reitman on August 29, 2012 for about 30 minutes. Only one interview occurred.Dr. Reitman did not administer any tests or conduct any evaluations. He issued his report dated August 29, 2012. In his report, Dr. Reitman said that mother was suffering from a “personality disorder” and recommended that she be immediately removed from her children.
Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich
In an August 31, 2012 report, Dr. Reitman reviewed several reports of the guardian ad litem, Julie Friedrich, and stated that the children showed indications of PAS. He stated he would be willing to recommend professionals for reunification and reprogramming. Subsequently, he recommended Dr. James Gilbertson, as a therapist to “reprogram” the children and reunify them with their (abusive) father.
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Judge Knutson scheduled an “emergency” telephone conference to occur on September 5, 2012. Four people participated in this conference: father’s lawyer, Lisa Elliott; mother’s then lawyer, Lisa Henry; the guardian ad litem, Julie Friedrich, and Judge Knutson. In the conference, Judge Knutson referred to Dr. Reitman’s report, which he received. No evidence was received in this conference. No testimony was taken. There was no cross-examination of anyone. Based on this telephone conference and Dr. Reitman’s report, Judge Knutson issued an order on September 7, 2012. He removed the children from their mother’s custody and put them in the temporary custody of two aunts – Tammy Love, father’s sister, and Nancy Olson, mother’s sister. He ordered no contact between the children and either of their parents. He ordered mother to vacate her home of 16 years leaving her literally homeless. Mother vacated her home the same day under threat of being jailed if she did not. She had time to take only one suitcase of clothes. She lost everything else – her home, all her furniture and possessions and any vehicle. She was immediately made destitute.
(Note: Allegations of sexual abuse involving the children were raised during the emergency conference. The sexual abuse was acknowledged by the court, and Judge Knutson, as indicated by court transcripts. By law, the purpose of the emergency conference should have been to protect the children from abuse or immediate harm. Instead the abuse was ignored, and the children’s only protector, their mother, Sandra, was forcibly, and unjustly removed from their lives).
Judge David L Knutson
Judge Knutson did not conduct any evidentiary hearing of any kind before depriving mother of the custody of her children and all of her property. He simply ordered it. In so doing, Judge Knutson violated Minnesota’s Constitution and laws, including § 518.175, which requires an evidentiary hearing and a finding that a parent is a physical or emotional danger to her children before denying parenting time with the parent and his or her children. Because it was a “temporary” order, it was not appealable.
Mother subsequently filed an application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to regain custody of her children on the basis that they had been illegally and wrongfully taken from her. But Judge Knutson refused to hear this application or schedule a hearing on it. Mother appealed this refusal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. A judge of the Appeals Court, Jill Flaskamp Halsbrook, immediately dismissed mother’s appeal because, she said, Judge Knutson had not issued a decision and there was nothing to review.
Judge Flaskamp Halsbrook ignored a Supreme Court decision, State ex rel. Alexander v. Rigg, 247 Minn. 110, 76 N.W.2d 478 (1956), which clearly says that a refusal to make a decision gives an appeals court jurisdiction to consider an application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Mother revised her appeal and asked for a Writ of Mandamus. But the appeals court then demanded another filing fee of $550, which mother does not have (the fist filing fee was a donation.). In February, 2013, a psychological evaluation of mother was made by Natalis, a highly reputable clinic affiliated with the University of Minnesota. They found mother to be normal with no indications of any psychological or emotional problems.
The judicial system is dysfunctional. And Minnesota’s legislature refuses to do anything about it even though Minnesota’s Constitution, Article VI, Section 9, gives it the authority to provide oversight of the judiciary.
The legislature and Minnesota society is allowing judicial abuse. This abuse is destroying families and severely damaging children and parents. It is ruining our society. Power corrupts as history has taught us numerous times.
See this article about how Judge Knutson “handles” a case of a hit and run (heroin addicted and evidently bragging about it!) driver (with no license) who killed a woman in this article, and then see the comments from one who was in the Dakota County jail for a misdemeanor the night this smiling killer was brought into the jail to be booked. http://applevalley-rosemount.patch.com/articles/rosemount-man-sentenced-to-60-days-in-hit-and-run-death-of-26-year-old-apple-valley-woman“the judge brings him in a backroom, just the two of them and promises him that if he doesn’t force them to go to another trial he (the judge) promises him a nice short sentence that somehow against state guidelines allows him work release (oh yeah, still has a drivers license also!) of 60 DAYS!. Something real funky going on, went on there”.
Just so I understand completely, a mother (with no criminal, mental health or addiction history……and certainly no history of HIT AND RUN/failing to report an accident that resulted in the death of another human being), based on a statement made by ONE “expert” requested by the wife’s husband’s attorney (????…….c’mon…….really?……in who’s mind does that seem fair or balanced?) is ordered by Judge Knutson WITHOUT AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING OF ANY KIND AND DUE PROCESS FOR MS. GRAZINNI-RUCKI, to vacate her home of 16 years, remove her from her children and all of her worldly belongings (oh, except for one suitcase)……..on the same day the order is issued, under the threat of being JAILED if she doesn’t comply?
Ms. Grazinni-Rucki has literally EVERYTHING taken away from her having committed NO CRIME, while Judge Knutson gives someone who never even turned himself in for KILLING a woman who was just walking across the street the “gift” of just agreeing to a plea of guilty to one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving a Death (a felony) and getting only 60 days in jail (with work release!) and 3 years ofprobation???
I suppose the killer who ran from the scene and failed to notify authorities gets to live in his home with his family (if he has one). I bet he got to keep his belongings, his home, and his children.
WHAT KIND OF “JUSTICE” is this? What kind of a person is this judge? What kind of system is this that arbitrarily removes the rights of parents to parent their children, to be forced out of their home, based on a “recommendation” by one individual that cannot be considered to be impartial when recommended by one of the parent’s attorneys.
Someone taking illegal drugs driving without a license kills an innocent woman, and he gets virtually no jail time. A mother who’s children prefer to be with her gets what is now well over a year sentence of isolation from her children and the loss of everything she owns including her home, her car, her personal items that would not fit in a suitcase, for……………WHAT?
I don’t know how these judges and those in the ever-increasing cottage industry of “Child Protection, Parent Consultants, Guardians ad Litem, attorneys”, etc. can possibly even look in the mirror. But they do………because they, in their misguided arrogance really believe that it doesn’t matter and that they will never be held accountable.
If they would ever legitimately answer the question “Why?”, I’m guessing their only real answer could possibly be “because I can”, and that is despicable.
We stand united in assuring that the stories are told (and can all be verified as easily as looking through public records, or better yet, attending some of these hearings). Isn’t it high time that these outrageous decisions are scrutinized by ALL parents, all community members, and especially our elected representatives?
I am so disgusted.
Kimberly, 5/21/2013
That is who is involved in these cases and those are the people allowed to go free and get “favors.” You will find in these cases that drugs dealers are involved, illegal money, child porn (which is why forced to see the abuser and house break ins) and the parents that have sociopathy and commit multi-million dollar frauds are the ones allowed to perpetrate with help from government individuals. All you have to do is watch any of these guys where these allegations exist (when they don’t know anyone is watching). It is open and shut. All of them are criminals and all of them are facilitated through the court and government.
Do not mistake….this is the Holocaust in America. A lot of people have fled because the signs are now recognizable. If you’ve read about the Holocaust, you know that those that saw and knew what was going on fled through the country warning the others along the way as they escaped. The ones that didn’t listen and stayed in their houses thinking “it just can’t be” ended up dead and tortured.
America will never be the same again because of this. The future has been changed for the worse and 20 years from now we will look back in disdain and write about what “used to be” in the history books.
Kimberly, 5/21/2013
WHAT IS INVOLVED:
1. Racketeering in porn (including child porn and trafficking) and illegal drugs (internationally)
2. Government agencies are contracting and researching physical and sexual abuse as well as hostile environments for humans, gathering intelligence and human survival of abuse
3. Government agencies have contracted through labs, companies and Universities around the world (DARPA put out an ad for University participation around the world through their affiliate and it was in the newspaper, although it was supposedly using computer simulation…but why would you need anyone else to participate in a computer simulation because you can make that as large as you want on the computer and do not have to share results…doesn’t make sense and mirrors current real people’s tortured lives)
4. freemason groups, criminal groups, and those with personality disorders freely participate in abuse and criminal behaviours daily and so are ideal for the above study participant perpetrator purposes, as are the unknowing and unwilling victims of their crimes
5. Scientific data is being assessed that reflects studies into the same types of abuse currently being inflicted on real people
6. This data is reflected in old copies of company prospectus, pay close attention to 2009 onwards in particular, and University studies
7. In combination with this, the federal government refuses to acknowledge the corruption exists, address it or investigate the criminals or the government corruption.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT. All anyone has to do is watch the people involved. It is apparent immediately. There is a reason why there have been attempts on my life and there is HUGE money involved in the lies being told to bleed investors of their money and continue this destruction of the U.S under false pretenses.
Bonnie, 5/21/2013
So many that cannot completely comprehend all this court corruption craziness, this would simplify for those who cannot follow the legal abuse. #1 Living situations with children prior to divorce #2 Court involvement #3 Court chaos #4 End results For many this is results, trauma to innocent parties, including children, children removed from home, often mother, (may include some fathers) after being caretaker of children prior to divorce with no prior allegations or findings receive limited or NO CONTACT with children #4 Financial ruin #5 Legal abuse and often over 3 years of fighting against corruption = MONEY, CONTROL, and a MALICIOUS INTENT TO RUIN!
For those interested, google “attorney tricks” many firms are gaining notarity with this, because all their cases include ex’s who have funding to feed this corruption. What oath do these people take again? I think they need to RE-VISIT WHAT THEY STAND UP FOR!!??
Kimberly, 5/21/2013
The US will not be the same after these last few years of extreme corruption and all of the children they have destroyed. They don’t’ have the resources or manpower to handle the future of America they have been creating with this destruction.
All you need to do is look at abuse stats to see where the US will be in the future. This is why people are fleeing.
Jen, 5/21/2013
Judge Knutson really does have a very weird sense of his own self worth. Example: Spending last Saturday afternoon hanging the American Flag outside his house (how patriotic) when there are two children right down the road living in hell enduring severe abuse inside a home that he court ordered them into. The two other children were able to escape and are now on the run to save their own lives.
Knutson wants people to believe that he’s some kind of respectable citizen by giving the impression in his neighborhood by displaying the American flag and knowing how he treats American citizens in his courtroom with “UN-AMERICAN” decisions. Just look at the Grazzini-Rucki case…unbelievable. Why is he still on the bench. I cannot wait for next election…he will have an eye opener.
Kimberly, 5/22/2013
Seems appropriate, as he is a perfect example of what America has become
Becky, 5/22/2013
We all are aware of the situations in Sandra’s case where Judge Knutson repeatedly brought her and her ex and his attorney into his chambers and coerced and threatened Sandra and the safety of her children if she did not do what he wanted her to do, over the past 2 years.
I’m glad to hear and report that all of what was needed to make this known about Knutson’s threats against Sandra is now in the proper hands. Knutson how are you going to get out of this one? You have always been well known for your judicial abuse with threats of jail, prison, or never having contact with loved ones again to her as well as others. I want to be there when you answer for this , and you will very soon. You are a pathetic excuse not only of a man,father, but of a judge to do what you have done to this woman and her children. You can only pray that Karma does not come back on you or your loved ones . You are no better than the abusers of these women and children,your even worse you have to hide behind your robe and you insecurities.
Kimberly, 5/27/2013
No one without some kind of mental illness makes decisions like these judges. We are seriously NOT dealing with normal MMPI profiles here.
Behind the scenes footage from the 2016 taping of ABC’s “Footprints in the Snow” suggests that ABC 20/20 suppressed evidence of abuse in the Grazzini-Rucki case, and slanted the story, in order to portray mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, and friend, Dede Evavold, as “vigilante parents” and “family court critics” who participated in a child-kidnapping network operating in a “hidden world”. In pushing this false story, ABC 20/20 covered up domestic abuse, and encouraged viewers to disregard cries for help from children who courageously spoke up to disclose the physical and mental abuse they endured at the hands of a violent father.
The video “ABC’s 20/20 Producer Sean Dooley interviews Dede Evavold for Footprints in the Snow April 2016 Broadcast” shows raw footage of producer Sean Dooley interviewing Dede Evavold. Dede is a friend of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki who became involved in the Grazzini-Rucki case by helping Sandra’s teen daughters S.R. and G.R. find a place to stay after they ran away when the family court failed to protect them from their abusive father, David Rucki. The behind the scenes footage offers Dede’s side of the story, in her own words. Comparing this raw footage to the finished product, it is clear “Footprints” is highly editorialized by ABC 20/20 and its portrayal of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and “supporters” does not accurately reflect their story or experiences.
During the interview, ABC producer Sean Dooley admits that he is aware of allegations that runaway sisters, S.R. and G.R., were being abused by their father and if returned to his care they could potentially be abused again. This is a side of the Grazzini-Rucki case never presented in “Footprints”. When asking Dede about the role of the Dahlens (who sheltered the girls on a therapeutic horse ranch), Dooley says, (24:11),”You knew they were safe.. what I guess I’m ..the point I’m trying to get at is you know is this a situation where you felt like what was most important was to ensure that these two teenage girls were in a safe environment and so what you knew about the Dahlens, you felt comfortable saying you knew that they were safe. So that they weren’t going to be with their father, they weren’t going to be put back into a situation where they were potentially at risk of being abused…”
The importance of this remark is that it shows that Dooley clearly understood Dede’s reasons for getting involved after S.R. and G.R. ran away were to protect the children from abuse – yet when “Footprints” aired, ABC 20/20 pushed a completely false narrative and mischaracterized Sandra and “supporters” as radical “activists”.
Sean Dooley wrote a response to journalist Michael Volpe stating ABC stands by their report, and did not suppress information about abuse. Read the response here: ABC Response – Footprints
During the interview, Dede repeatedly asks Dooley to “dig deeper” and investigate how the failures of the court to keep the Rucki children safe from abuse caused teen sisters S.R. and G.R. to run away in April 2013.
Dede says, “There shouldn’t have to be a time where children have to runaway because they are fearful. If the system was in place, and it was set up on how it’s supposed to function, they (S.R. and G.R.) would have never had to run. And you hear a lot that the family courts are broken.. they are not broken, they are well designed, there’s a well-designed operation..the court system really functions on conflict for profit.”
Dede remains calm throughout the interview, stating everything she has done was to protect S.R. and G.R. from being further harmed. While the sisters remained in hiding, Dede says, she worked to find a solution to keep the girls safe, and return them home. Dede said several times during the interview that she was not fearful. – It is obvious that Dede placed concern for S.R. and G.R. above her own situation, even when she was facing jail for efforts to protect them. Dede said she was hopeful that when “Footprints” aired that the allegations of abuse would be revealed and that someone, finally, would help the Rucki children.
Just the opposite happened – Dooley and ABC 20/20 not only suppressed information about abuse in the Grazzini-Rucki case but sympathized with Rucki, who is portrayed in “Footprints” as a victim of an “epic divorce”. Rucki’s lengthy criminal record, and propensity towards violence is also suppressed.
Elizabeth Vargas, former journalist and anchor, ABC 20/20
Although Dooley was informed of, and provided with evidence, of abuse in the Grazzini-Rucki case, ” the Rucki children were labeled as “brainwashed” and victims of “parental alienation”. ABC 20/20 encouraged viewers not to listen to, or believe, the children’s allegations of abuse or cries for help.
Both S.R. and G.R. have been very vocal in stating they are not “brainwashed” and were not coached by their mother, and that the abuse did, in fact, happen.
As noted in social service records from November 2015, recorded after the sisters were discovered living on the Dahlen’s ranch, S.R. says,”They were told by so many people that they were brainwashed and needed to be de-programmed. She never felt they were brainwashed.”
As for G.R., the social worker says, “Her dad would stalk the house when they were with mom. He showed anger like ‘I’m gonna kill you’. She got no hugs growing up. One time after a hockey game her dad rubbed her inner thigh. Dad shoved her mom often…She still feels fear of her dad, she does not know what he is like today… She does not feel her mother played a role in her thoughts or feelings about her dad.” https://www.scribd.com/doc/316692570/SamiRucki
S.R. and G.R. were also appointed a lawyer, who fought to keep the girls in foster care for safety reasons. ABC 20/20 failed to mention any of this in “Footprints”.
Juvenile Court judge, Michael Mayer, disagreed and placed S.R. and G.R. back into the custody of Rucki. S.R. and G.R. were escorted from the courtroom by a guard who transported them to California to participate in a reunification therapy program. 20/20 portrays the program as successful, citing the girls didn’t run away. However, social service records note that the girls promised the social worker they would not run if sent to California. – It wasn’t the program that prevented S.R. and G.R. from attempting to run away, it was a promise made to a social worker, the only person in the system that believed them and tried to help. EPC Hearing Transcript Nov 30, 2015
At the time S.R. and G.R. were placed back into his custody, Rucki was on probation for a road rage incident where he followed a motorist, and ambushed him in a parking lot, beating the victim until he was bloodied and bruised. ABC 20/20 fails to mention this in “Footprints”; even as this behavior shows Rucki’s propensity towards violence.druckipolicereports
Despite overwhelming evidence of his abuse, reporter Elizabeth Vargas remains a strong supporter of David Rucki. During “Footprints”, Vargas says it is quote “total vindication” that Dakota County family court judge, David L. Knutson, denied any abuse had occurred then awarded sole custody to Rucki. At the time of the 2012 custody order, Rucki was on probation for a violation of a protective order against Sandra. Vargas goes on to say that “David works to mend his fractured relationship with them..” ignoring records that reveal all five of the Rucki children had disclosed that Rucki had physically and mentally abused them, and had threatened their lives. The response of the family court was NOT to protect the children, but, instead order them into “deprogramming” and “reunification therapy” to force them to recant abuse allegations, and accept a relationship with Rucki. Court records document the visible fear the children felt towards their father, including one of the children becoming physically ill and having to leave the room after being forced into a session with Rucki.
S.R. and G.R. have consistently stated they ran away for one reason, and one reason only – and that is because they were being abused by their father, and feared for their lives because the court was working to place them into his custody. The system, at every level, failed to protect them.
Consider this note from the social worker who interviewed S.R. in November 2015, “The police told them not to call unless someone was being killed…”
When ABC, a major news organization, sympathizes with a violent abuser, and uses its broadcast as a smear campaign against the victims it sends a dangerous message … Does someone really need to be killed before the cries for help from an abused child are taken seriously?
David Rucki is so violent, and so abusive that he beat ex-wife Sandra Grazzini-Rucki while pregnant, and assaulted his unborn before the child even took his first breath. As a result of the beating, the child was born prematurely (and suffers with permanent health problems).
This, according to, statements Sandra Grazzini-Rucki made during a heart-wrenching episode of Fighting B.A.C.K. (Aired: 6/19/2017) During the episode, Sandra also reveals that Rucki threatened to harm her children as a way to gain control over her through fear and intimidation.
The shocking revelation came when Sandra responded to a guest who was describing her own situation with domestic violence, and how her child was affected. The guest says her abusive ex used her child as a weapon, and would even retaliate by hurting the child, as a way to intimidate and control her. Sandra said that hearing the guest’s story reminded her of the violent marriage she escaped from.
The National Institutes of Health reports that over 300,000 pregnant women in the U.S. are victims to domestic violence, with domestic violence being the leading cause of death among U.S. women of childbearing age.
(Note: This article contains additional information on these incidents, as provided by a confidential source – which are told in the first person voice to illustrate Sandra’s horrifying experience, and told in this way raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence experienced during pregnancy)
Rucki’s Assault on an Unborn Baby: “I was kicked repeatedly in the stomach (because) he was ‘not a perfect child’…”
Imagine the horror Sandra surely experienced and felt:
Lying on a gurney, hands desperately clutch swollen belly, trying to hold back contractions… as she fades in and out of consciousness, she pleads,”No, no, it’s too soon…”
How would she explain the bruises this time? The violent assault against her unborn left her belly black and blue, bleeding on the inside… she realized too late that she married a demon in the flesh. Raging he stood over her kicking again and again… spit flying from his mouth as he screamed and swore..
Loud voice, someone shouting her name… she screamed and threw her arms out… The beep-beep of a fetal monitor going wild… She struggled to open her eyes, not comprehending, plastic IV tubing twisting as she fought… frightened by the sound of her name being called. Was she safe?
Signs of life.. a faint and erratic heart beat … tiny, seashell shaped knees raised to chest then violently kick out… Even the hospital could not protect her once he realized the baby he tried to kill was now fighting back.
(28:21) Sandra says: “When my youngest child was born, he (David Rucki) was under the belief that this was not going to be a ‘perfect child’ when I was kicked repeatedly into the stomach and went into pre-term labor, and gave birth, and he (Rucki) said, I want him gone rather than have a kid that’s not perfect because it’s more about me than it is about him…”
The child has been permanently affected by the assault inflicted on him while in the womb, and will suffer with lifelong health issues.
Rucki Threatens to Chop Baby Up in a Ceiling Fan
All she wanted was to be a wife and mother, to have a home filled with laughter and children. Instead the children tip-toed through the rooms like ghosts – vainly trying to remain silent and unseen, as if they could avoid their father’s rage.
The children… where were the children? So much they should not see… the violence, the tears… the fake apologies… Hiding somewhere in the house. Hands slammed over their small ears. Tears filling their eyes. They feared not the mythical monster in the closet that most children imagine but the very real monster in the house, their father.
(28:06) Sandra says: “When my oldest child was 3 months old, my ex-husband David Rucki grabbed him from the bassinet, held him up to a ceiling fan and said, ‘You will do as I say or he is going into the fan…’”
(29:03) Sandra says: “Sometimes when you talk about things it reminds me of things that David Rucki did and yet these are the men that have our children… You talk about this and I know, I will never forget when David held the baby up to the ceiling fan and said ‘You do what I say or he’s (chokes on words) .. they have no concern for the child, it’s more of a control issue…”
Rucki Promised to Change But Then Threatened to Kill Sandra, and the Children
Sandra says during the marriage, Rucki repeatedly promised to change but always resorted back to his abusive behavior. Sandra says Rucki even threatened to kill “your children” if she did not comply with his demands.
Sandra says physical, mental and sexual abuse existed in the generations of the Rucki family and influenced David Rucki’s abusive behavior and attitude towards his own children. David Rucki promised Sandra that he would not abuse his own children the way he was abused by his father, and the way he witnessed his father abuse his sisters. Cut from the same fabric, David Rucki, in the end, turned out to be just as abusive, and dangerous to his own children as Fred Rucki was to him, and his sisters.
Family Court: The Two Options That Trap Victims of Domestic Violence
Judge David L Knutson (Dakota County, MN)
“I think that is so sad that as a parent in an abusive relationship, why is it that your two options are: stay, being abused, have your child grow up in this environment filled with insecurities, tension and violence or leave and risk losing your child and continuing to suffer…” – Comment from “Fighting Back” Guest, a Mother also involved in family court who lost custody of her baby to an alleged abuser
Sandra says that her children went to everyone asking for help and that every level of the system has failed to protect them.
Instead of protecting children, family court Judge David L Knutson, Dakota County, has assisted David Rucki in every step through the legal process to continue to abuse, torment and attempt to kill Sandra by making it impossible to survive. Judge Knutson has also endangered the lives of all 5 Rucki children by placing them under the care, custody and ultimately the control of David Rucki. Even as adults the Rucki children have been unable to escape their father and live independent lives of their own due to his violence against them.
“There were red flags, people spoke up, and the system failed..” ~ Melanie Blow
Title: “Preventing Child Abuse from Turning Into the #TexasChurchShooting”
“The Long Version” with Fletcher Long features two guests – writer and abuse advocate, Doreen Sims and Melanie Blow, scientist and activist and the NY Project Director of the Stop Abuse Campaign.
Date: November 10, 2017
Fletcher Long has the distinct privilege of hosting Melanie Blow and Doreen Sims regarding ways in which being subjected to abuse may have lent itself to the Devin Kelley #TexasChurchShooting scenario.
Second Half of the Show (1:01) Discussion on Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Case
Additional Topics: Domestic Violence, Family Court, Concerns with how Family Court Treats Domestic Violence Victims, and Allegations of Abuse
Punished 4 Protecting with Host Francesca Amato-Banfield
Date: October 23, 2017
Subject: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Case – Abuse Covered up by the Courts and Media
Also Discussed: Domestic violence. Child abuse, and continued abuse in family court. Family court misuse of “parental alienation”. Expose of court’s illegal, and unjust actions, in the Grazzini-Rucki case. ABC 20/20 cover up of abuse in Grazzini-Rucki case, and propaganda. Grazzini-Rucki criminal trial. Grazzini-Rucki child support case.
Guest: Journalist Michael Volpe
(Dakota County, MN) Sandra Grazzini-Rucki suffers 20+ years of extreme physical and emotional abuse, and cruelty, at the hands of her violent and controlling husband, David Rucki. Rucki is wealthy and well-connected, and has the protection and assistance of judges in the Minnesota court system, and all levels of state and local government, in harassing and furthering abusing his ex-wife through the legal system.
Rucki has a long history of violence, including a lengthy CPS file documenting incidents of abuse against his own children, and convictions for violent offenses. Rucki has also been court ordered into anger management on several occasions. Intervention does not work with Rucki – the only thing that does change is his tactics of abuse, which continue to escalate. (Read documentation of Rucki’s violence: druckipolicereports)
In May 2011, Sandra and David Rucki agree to a divorce. Under the agreement, Rucki would receive a majority of the financial assets, and Sandra, a stay-at-home mother, would retain custody of the five children. The divorce is finalized by Judge Tim D. Wermager (a former law firm partner of David Warg. Warg is the husband of Judge Karen Asphaug, who would later preside over the Grazzini-Rucki criminal trial). After the financial terms were set in the divorce decree (less than a month later), Rucki challenges the rest of the divorce, claiming he was de-frauded, and that he didn’t think the divorce was real, but rather, was just a “paper divorce”. (Read more: David Rucki Paper Divorce Scam). Rucki personally requests that Judge David L. Knutson be appointed to the divorce, and together they work to destroy Sandra and forcibly remove her from the lives of her children, whom she has not seen since 2013.
Listen to this powerful, and disturbing episode of “Punished 4 Protecting” for deeper insight into the Grazzini-Rucki case, revealing details the courts and media are desperately trying to suppress.
Dakota County Judicial Center, Hastings, Minnesota
“..all this courtroom has done has cause misery and heartache…” except of a letter written by one of the Rucki children, April 2013
The public is invited to celebrate Constitution Day at the Dakota County “Open Courthouse” event on September 15… held at the epicenter of corruption in Minnesota: the Dakota County Judicial Center. The free, open-to-the public event, will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2017 Dakota County Open Courthouse Event
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour, and experience firsthand, the infamous courthouse at the center of the Grazzini-Rucki custody trial, and criminal trial where unconstitutional abuses of power by the courts, judges, court officers and law enforcement occurred. Both cases also involve rampant violations of the constitutional rights of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, as well as the 3 co-defendants in the criminal trial.
The public is advised to enter the Dakota County Judicial Center at their own risk – law and justice mean nothing here!
Judge David L. Knutson will make a special appearance at the 12:30 Welcoming Ceremony, held at the Jury Assembly Room, Lower Level.
Wonder if Judge Knutson would be willing to answer questions such as:
**Why did you give custody of five children to a dangerous abuser?
**Why did you ignore the abuse allegations raised by the Rucki children?
**Do you think it is appropriate for a judge to ignore allegations of child sexual abuse?
**Do you think it is okay for a judge to call a child abuse victim a ‘liar’ when they disclose abuse?
**Why did you release David Rucki after several violations of a protective order?
**How is the public supposed to trust the courts when they see you break the law and go to such extreme lengths to give custody to a violent man and deprive a fit, loving mother of custody?
**How do you defend your violations of the Constitutional rights of Sandra Grazzini-Rucki?
**Why did you give such a light sentence to child rapist Dennis Roy?
**Do you support 1st Amendment rights? If so, why are you limiting the free speech of blogger Dede Evavold?
Chances are Judge Knutson, the coward he is, won’t be taking any questions from the public and will continue to hide behind the skirts of judicial immunity.
Judge David L Knutson
The court, judges, prosecutors, police and many layers of corruption within Dakota Count colluded to give sole custody to a dangerous abuser, David Rucki, and worked to cover up their crimes in doing so, to detriment of the five Rucki children. Mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, who, fought to keep the children safe from harm is now being punished and criminalized while the real criminals go free.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was a loving, stay-at-home mother of five children, and former Mrs. Lakeville, who has been victimized, deprived of her rights and due process, and forcibly separated from her children due to injustice and corruption in the family court and criminal court of Dakota County. Sandra’s situation is so dire that she is now living in hiding – and her children have been given into the custody of a dangerous abuser with a long history of criminal acts and violence against his own family. druckipolicereports
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich
Paul Reitman
The Rucki children have raised abuse allegations against their father only to be told by Judge David Knutson, Guardian ad Litems, Julie Friedrich and Laura Miles, and court-ordered therapists, Dr. Paul Reitman and Dr James Gilbertson, that they are liars and in need of de-programming. And this has occurred – the Rucki children were forced into “de-programming” using methods similar to what is done to a POW camp in order to get the children to recant abuse allegations, and then forced into complying with the courts demands even as it has proved detrimental to their safety and well-being.
If you heard a child come forward with an allegation of abuse like this, would you honestly walk away and do nothing?? That is exactly what Judge Knutson, and others, have done to the Rucki children.
In April 2013, one of the Rucki children wrote a letter to describe how she witnessed her father, David Rucki, abuse her mother, and stated that he was also violent and threatening to other children – to the extreme that her even friends feared visiting the Rucki home.
The letter (which was not allowed to be submitted as evidence in Sandra’s criminal trial) included this statement from her daughter,”I know the difference between a lie and the truth….
I stand here today to tell you the truth about my father. To begin with, he has not only told my family that he is homicidal, but sat us down at kitchen table and yelled at us saying that he was not only going to kill me but my brothers, sister and mom. Not even a week later I received a horrifying voicemail of 6 gunshots. He has also choked, slapped, and hit and verbally abused my mother repeatedly throughout their. marriage. He also has lost it on us kids more than a number of time physically and verbally. Also he has made sexual comments to me over the year about my boobs look bigger and so forth and over the year many of my friends could not hang out with me because of my father. The day my father officially moved out of the Ireland place home was not only a day of peace and happiness but safety in the household…” Letters from Rucki Sisters April 2013
Sandra has continued to be the punching bag for her abusive ex-husband, David Rucki, even after she fled the marriage by agreeing to divorce in 2011. – Rucki conspired with “Korrupt Knutson” to batter, and destroy, Sandra by using the legal system in the same way that he once used his fist to beat her into submission.
As a result of family court proceedings, Sandra was court ordered by Judge Knutson into a “lifetime of servitude,” stripped of her children and custodial rights, her home, her employment, and her freedom— she is now homeless and destitute, hunted and harassed by ex-husband, David Rucki, who has promised to “see her dead.”
The public is invited take self-guided tours of the Dakota County Judicial Center, with stops including courtrooms and other areas of interest, and the chance to hear from a local district court judge or other justice system officials.
Jury Assembly Room/Jury room – This room is the notorious site where jury tampering occurred in the Grazzini-Rucki criminal case (July 2016). Jury tampering is a factor that contributed to Sandra being found guilty, by tainting the jury with prejudicial information before the trial began.
During jury selection, nearly all of the 60 members of the jury pool admitted they had heard or read about the Grazzini-Rucki case; meaning the jury had been influenced even before the trial began. In criminal cases that receive a lot of publicity it is common to hold the trial in another jurisdiction – that didn’t happen here because Dakota County waged a vendetta against Sandra, and probably won’t give up punishing her until she is dead.
In another instance of jury tampering, an article from the Star Tribune regarding the Grazzini-Rucki case was found in the jury room. It should be noted that the article was written by a blogger who has a close relationship with David Rucki, and has expressed admiration of Judge David Knutson. The blogger was contracted at the Star Tribune to cover the Grazzini-Rucki case as part of an “experiment” that went massively awry when the paper was used to promote propaganda and false and misleading information about the Grazzini-Rucki case; articles specifically do not mention or include documentation of abuse or Rucki’s lengthy history of violence. So what the jurors saw was a news article written as a hit piece against Sandra, who was vilified, and unable to defend herself against the impressions formed in the jurors minds outside the courtroom.
In another instance of jury tampering, one juror admitted to being at a party with Rucki’s relative, and Judge Asphaug refused to have this person disqualified after they promised to remain neutral.
If that were not bad enough, two bloggers covering the trial approached the jurors and asked them to speak about the case. Due to the severity of the allegations, Judge Karen Asphaug stopped the trial in the middle of proceedings, left the bench and went into the jury room to assess the damage. Inappropriate contact with a juror is grounds for a mistrial; despite this, Judge Asphaug continued with trial, once again making excuses for a jury that could not possibly remain neutral after being pressured and influenced before trial began.
Book and Release – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was held in Book and Release several times during the course of her criminal trial. If walls could talk, the walls of the book and release room would drip with anguished tears.
Sandra found herself in the Book and Release room not as a criminal but as mother who fought to protect her children from abuse, risking her own life and freedom to do so.
In her former life, Sandra was a stay at home mom who lavished her time, energy and love on her five children. She worked as a flight attendant and had a spotless 30+ year history of impeccable service, and was loved by crew and guests alike. After surviving an abusive marriage that nearly cost her life, Sandra looked forward a fresh start…hope for the future was short-lived because ex-husband, David Rucki, would escalate his attacks against her in a new arena: family court, where he is assisted by a powerful and korrupt judge, David L. Knutson.
The result of 6 years of continued legal abuse, and humiliation in family court, is that Sandra is destitute and homeless. She has survived stalking and death threats from Rucki (and people on his behalf) but the nature of the court orders have left her barely surviving. By order of Judge Knutson, her home, all her belongings, and even pictures of her children have been taken. David Rucki has been awarded 100% of the marital property including 4 homes and all the contents within, 9 classic cards and has dumped huge amounts of personal debt onto Sandra. Rucki is also granted nearly $1,000 a month in child support, and motioning the court for Sandra to pay thousands of dollars for legal fees, even though Sandra has not worked for almost two years and is unable to meet her own basic needs. With 6 felonies on her record, it is doubtful that Sandra will be able to return to work as a flight attendant – or be hired anywhere else. The State of Minnesota once extended assistance to Sandra but since has terminated benefits. Now she has no means to pay for food or basic necessities that most take for granted. Rucki lives like a king, devising new ways to torment poor Sandra.
Sandra was forced to witness continued abuse inflicted on her children then was jailed for trying to protect them when they were forced to go on the run to protect their own lives. She was confined in the Book and Release Room, hands in cuffs, while the real criminals – David Rucki and Judge Knutson – go free.
Courtroom 1F: Mock Jury Selection Demonstrations – Courtroom 1F is where Judge David L. Knutson presided over the Grazzini-Rucki custody trial (September 11-12, 2013).
It is here that Sandra lost custody of her five, precious children and would forever be banned from having any contact with them. Dangerous abuser David Rucki is awarded sole custody, despite for being on probation for violating a protective order against Sandra. At the time of the custody order, two of the Rucki children are missing – they ran away in fear for their lives due to their father’s abuse and Judge Knutson’s failure to protect them.
Courtroom 1F is also where lawyer Michelle MacDonald was forced to represent Sandra Grazzini-Rucki while handcuffed and strapped to a wheelchair and without her files and notes, pen/paper, glasses, shoes, and even without her client – and without ever being charged or booked. (Sandra, and several court witnesses, left the courtroom that day after Judge Knutson told them that trial was over and that MacDonald was being arrested.) Judge Knutson took these outrageous actions as retaliation against MacDonald because she had filed a federal lawsuit against him, on behalf of Sandra, and asked that he recuse himself from the trial. Lawsuit: Female Attorney Strapped to Wheelchair in Court
Judge Knutson continues to retaliate against Michelle MacDonald and has actually filed a complaint against her law license, stating she failed to properly represent Sandra in the custody trial – after he alone made it impossible for Sandra to obtain a fair trial.
Judge Knutson avoids any responsibility for his unethical, and illegal actions, by hiding behind judicial immunity like a coward. Judge Knutson now sits on the Board on Judicial Standards, which oversees complaints against judges. JudgeKnutson’s role on the Board has greatly contributed to the public trust in the judiciary eroding to an all time law… the people of Minnesota do not respect judges anymore – they fear them.
While the Dakota County Judicial Center celebrates Constitution Day, the public is unaware that they are celebrating at the very alter, the judge’s bench in courtroom 1F, where the gavel has slammed against the Constitution, shattering it rendering it void.. as if our very Constitution were made of glass, and could be easily discarded.
Judge Karen J Asphaug
Courtroom 1D – Scene of “Rigged Trial” – It is here the Grazzini-Rucki criminal trial was conducted under the jurisdiction of Judge Karen Asphaug (July 25-28, 2016).
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is found guilty on 6 counts of deprivation of parental rights after Judge Karen Asphaug disallowed the majority of evidence supporting the affirmative defense she raised.
Sandra raisde the affirmative defense in her criminal trial, meaning she admitted to assisting her daughters because feared for their safety. If the jury found enough evidence to support the affirmative defense, Sandra could be exonerated. Sandra’s defense depended on proving why she feared for the safety of her daughters. Judge Asphaug suppressed 75% of defense evidence during the criminal trial including: witness testimony, Rucki’s criminal history, CPS and social service records documenting the abuse of the Rucki children, evidence of stalking, protective orders Sandra took out against Rucki, and more..
Sandra is actively appealing the decision.
Holding Cell – The Adult Holding Cell is where attorney Michelle MacDonald was detained, and she says “tortured” by order of Judge Knutson, during the Grazzini-Rucki custody trial (September 11-12, 2017). Judge Knutson ordered that MacDonald be detained because she took pictures in the courtroom when it was not in session. The popular story is that MacDonald got in trouble for taking pictures of Deputy Timothy Gonder. Just do a social media search and you will see that pictures are routinely taken in the Dakota County Judicial Center, and no one else is punished in the way MacDonald was. The truth is that the pictures were taken of the court docket to document irregularities in the scheduling of the case. MacDonald was documenting, in pictures, the illegal actions of Judge Knutson and, to him, had to be stopped.
After the trial (which was not a trial in any sense of the word!), attorney Michelle MacDonald was not allowed to leave court but, instead, was unlawfully detained for through the night and into the next day. MacDonald was held for more than 24 hours without being booked, charged, or allowed bail, bond, or to make a phone call. She was never read her Miranda rights.
Interesting enough, Judge Michael Mayer, who presided over the juvenile trial of the runaway Rucki girls, made a personal appearance to the detention center to witness MacDonald’s humiliation, and tears. With a snide laugh he taunted her by saying, “Having a rough day?”
Also present was Deputy Timothy Gonder, the personal thug of Judge Knutson. Deputy Gonder manhandled Michelle MacDonald and meted out punishment by unofficial judicial order. Gonder would also make an appearance when Sandra was injured while being held in the Ramsey County Correctional Facility during criminal proceedings, and would be the subject of a PREA complaint after he took inappropriate pictures while she was handcuffed to a bed, and made special efforts to humiliate her.
MacDonald later filed a lawsuit, claimingthe sheriff’s office engaged in seven of the internationally recognized forms of torture: sexual humiliation, sleep deprivation, sensory deprivation, solitary confinement/isolation, temperature extremes, sensory bombardment and psychological techniques.
The lawsuit describes the cruelty inflicted on MacDonald – deputies turned the temperature of the room down to freezing and kept the bright lights on all night to keep her awake. MacDonald took the toilet paper and wrapped it around her head and body and feet to keep in an vain effort to keep warm. The guard came in and ripped it off her, saying she was not using it properly. Pictures were taken of MacDonald in her cell in an effort to humiliate her. Guards made comments about prisoner suicide as a way to intimidate her. All of this MacDonald suffered because she bravely defended Sandra, and her Constitutional rights, in Judge Knutson’s lawless court, room 1F.
Michelle MacDonald was eventually released, no charges were ever brought against her related to this incident. Judge Leslie Metzen ultimately determined that Michelle MacDonald’s civil rights had been violated by the illegal search and seizure of the camera.
Courtroom 1B: Interactive Television (ITV) Demonstration and Judge Chamber 109 –
The Judge’s Chamber should be called the Torture Chamber for what was done to the Rucki children in the Dakota County Judicial Center.
In February 2013, the Rucki children were summoned to the chambers of Judge David Knutson. The Rucki children not only disclosed abuse to Judge Knutson but clearly stated their preference to live with mother, Sandra, where they felt safe and loved. Enraged, Judge Knutson ordered that the proceedings be sealed.
That same day, David Rucki had a pending case in criminal court for violating a no-contact order that prohibited him from contacting the children. Judge Knutson made special efforts to have all criminal charges against Rucki dismissed, which did happen.
Even after hearing serious allegations of abuse from the Rucki children, and with knowledge that Rucki violated a no-contact order, Judge Knutson ordered that very same day the children be forced to a visit their father. Dr. James Gilbertson, therapist, recommended the children be held in a room and an armed bailiff be used as a show of force in order to get the children to comply. Court records reveal the older children – specifically S.R. and G.R. were viewed as a problem. The “problem” being that they raised abuse allegations and were vocal in objecting to forced visits with Rucki (i.e they didn’t go along with “the programming”).
Another tactic used on the Rucki children, at the recommendation of Dr. Gilbertson, is that the older children were separated from the younger children. This was done so the younger children would have no protection and no advocate, and could be psychologically broken down more easily, and thus, easier to control.
At other times, court records reveal, the Rucki children were brought to the courthouse by order of Judge Knutson, where they were held for hours, in a room without food or drink, without toys, and without comfort of any kind. An armed bailiff was posted at the door to prevent escape. The records reveal the children were extremely anxious and upset to be brought to the court, which would be understandable considering what the children had to endure.
On one occasion, Dr. Gilbertson recommended the children be forced to sit in during proceedings and watch what happened as David Rucki raised false, and outrageous allegations against Sandra, who was then punished by Judge Knutson – who always ruled in Rucki’s favor. The children were sent a clear message that their mother, and protector, could no longer protect them.. that their father held all the power.
Other times, the Rucki children were detained in the courthouse and then forced, against their wishes, to visit with their father, Rucki. There are allegations that Rucki would intimidate the children during visits, give them the middle finger, that he was angry and made veiled threats. Even Dr. Gilbertson records in his notes that the children were visibly afraid of Rucki. Yet “reunification therapy” continued… it is no wonder that the children attempted to run away after their cries for help were ignored, and they were subject to further abuse.
In-Custody Courtroom – Money is the root of all evil.. the In-Custody Courtroom is where Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was brought for a bail hearing on November 6, 2015 and a $1 million dollar bail was issued for a defendant with no prior criminal history, and for a non-violent crime.. Sandra’s bail was much, much higher than most serious offenders.
Is at coincidence judge assigned to do bails that was none other than Judge Knutson?!? However, since Judge Knutson was busy with other tasks that day, the stand-in judge stepped in on his behalf and blindly ordered the astronomical amount of bail without a second thought.
The situation is even more unusual because Sandra was removed from the in-custody courtroom and taken, through a back hall, into a room hidden from public view, where bail was issued.
On February 24th, Sandra was released on her own recognizance. Outside of these trumped up charges, she remains law abiding and poses no threat to anyone.. other than the corruption in Dakota County that does not want to be exposed.
Family crisis is the main reason kids runaway- escaping to the streets to avoid chaos, abuse in their homes… (2015 report, National Runaway Safeline)
Studies reveal that family crisis is the main reason why many kids run away from home. 47% of runaway / homeless youth indicated that conflict between them and their parent or guardian was a major problem.(Westat, Inc. 1997: National Runaway Safeline: Statistics)
Further, a majority of runaways are victims of child abuse. According to another study, “80% of runaway and homeless girls reported having been sexually or physically abused.” (Molnar, et al, 1998: National Runaway Safeline: Statistics)
Findings validate claims raised by the 4 defendants in the Grazzini-Rucki criminal trial, who raised the affirmative defense stating their actions to help two troubled teen sisters was not criminal, but rather an effort to keep them safe. The Rucki sisters, S.R. and G.R., ran away after learning of a court order that they felt would endanger their lives, on two separate occasions in September 2012 and again in April 2013. Both sisters have asserted, on numerous occasions, that they feared their father and ran away to escape his violence.Rucki social service records
Background:
* Four of the Rucki children attempted to run away after their mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, was forcibly removed from the home by an unjust family court order, on Sept 7, 2012.
*At the time of the “emergency” court order that September, Judge David L. Knutson acknowledged the sisters had raised allegations of sexual abuse but chose to ignore safety concerns. Judge Knuston determined a mother attempting to protect the children from harm was more of a danger to the children than actual abuse.
* The Rucki children were then placed into the custody of a paternal aunt, Tammy Jo Love, whom they feared. Love had previously lost custody of her own children due to drug problems. The court never conducted a study to determine her fitness to care for children, nor was any motion filed to petition for custody.
* Love went to the elementary school of the youngest children (ages 8 and 10 years old) to inform them of the order, and then left the traumatized children to take the bus home, alone. The two youngest children immediately ran away. The children were found an hour later, having walked over 2 miles alongside a busy road.
* The police report says one of the children asked to see her mom – but was refused due to the court order. The report also said both children indicated that if they go back home, they are “just going to run away,” and said they did not feel safe with Love. After the incident, the children were placed in the care of another relative. http://sunthisweek.com/2015/11/18/son-mom-of-missing-girls-told-kids-to-run-in-2012/
*Just seven months later, this after Judge Knutson personally spoke to the Rucki children and ignored their cries for help, he again court ordered the children into Love’s custody on April 19, 2013.
*This time, the two oldest girls S.R. and G.R. succeeded in running away, and remained in hiding for the next two years. When given opportunities to return home, the terrified teens refused, citing fear of their father.
* The youngest children did not run away because the court recognized the risk, and detained them at school to prevent escape. The court then forced the youngest children into reunification therapy with Rucki even though the GAL noted that they expressed fear, and avoided physical contact with him.
*That the Rucki children currently remain in the custody of David Rucki is no indication of their well-being or safety, especially considering how the family court system has colluded in the abuse of these children and greatly contributed to their suffering.
Among the tragic stories of 1.6-2.8 million American youth who runaway every year, are the 5 Rucki children whose cries for help have been lost in a purposeful cover up orchestrated by Judge David L. Knutson, former family court judge in Dakota County, and assisted by corrupt officials working at every level of government in the State of Minnesota.
Judge David L Knutson
When children do not feel safe, and have witnessed domestic violence or been victims to abuse, they are at a much higher risk of running away. Especially when those charged with protecting them, social services and family court, fail to do so.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports that 21% of runaway youth have a history of physical or sexual abuse, or were afraid abuse would continue if they returned to their home. (Source: Safe Place: Running Away)
Shrieking winds sweep across the prairie, beating against the the luxurious Rucki house, situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in a rural suburb. In the dying light of a sun that never seems to shine over this corner of hell, the door remains firmly shut, the blinds drawn …the house remains unusually quiet and shuttered tight, with no sign of life inside.
Carefully choreographed footage from ABC 20/20 shot over Christmas with David Rucki and children offers a rare glimpse inside… it is an awkward scene with blurred faces and forced cheer.
It is painfully obvious that mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, is absent from the festivities. Sandra has been forcibly removed from the lives of her children by abusive ex-husband, David Rucki, and by an unjust court order that prohibits her from having any contact with her children for the rest of their lives. Once a stay at home mother, and primary caregiver, Sandra is now alienated from her children and has not had any contact with them in over 5 years. Sandra spent Christmas grieving for her children. She clings to the precious memories .. and is haunted by thoughts of who they are today.
Elizabeth Vargas and ABC 20/20 portray David Rucki as a whimpering father who says he is victimized by an angry ex-wife who brainwashed the children to wage abuse allegations against him. The truth is more sinister.. it takes just a click of a mouse to reveal what 20/20 failed to report as much of the documentation has been made publicly available on the internet. Did 20/20 manipulate the Rucki story to hide abuse? (Michael Volpe, CDN)
A long history of police reports documents Rucki’s explosive anger, and propensity towards violence. druckipolicereports
The violence continued after David and Sandra divorced, with stalking, threats, and eruptions of Rucki’s rage – that often spilled onto the streets of this otherwise quiet neighborhood.
After the divorce was finalized, Sandra says Rucki terrorized the family, and in one incident, threatened to kill all of them. Soon after that threat, one of the children received a voice mail with the sound of six bullets being fired in quick succession – one bullet for Sandra and each of the children.recorded voice mail messages
The Rucki children bravely came forward to report abuse to many officials who should have protected them but failed to do so – the court appointed Guardian ad Litem, police, therapists, the family doctor, social workers, the family court judge and others.
The court appointed psychologist Gilbertson wrote a letter from Feb. 6, 2013 that stated, “There are two prevailing emotional themes that these children speak to: One is fear of being in the presence of their father given what they allege to he being an angry and violent person. A second theme is the anger they have over his alleged mistreatment and a corollary of this, a belief that their father is morally flawed, i.e. womanizer, drinks too much, and is hiding money.”
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Yet time and time again the Rucki children were not protected but rather, sent back into the abuse; and their mother, and only protector, Sandra, was forcibly removed from their lives.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, and three other co-defendants were criminally charged and convicted for their role for assisting S.R. and G.R. after they ran away in April 2013. This, despite the fact that in Minnesota it is an affirmative defense (subd. 2) to take action to protect a child from imminent emotional or physical harm. Sandra continues to fight for justice, and to clear her name. She is actively appealing her conviction.
Co-defendant, Dede Evavold is actively appealing her case, and has argued (Evavold Appeal 2017) that she was wrongfully charged and convicted of parental deprivation because (p.5), “The affirmative defense did not need to be raised as there was substantial evidence supporting the affirmative defense. The state had all evidence that no crime was committed and that the girls ran away because of abuse...”
On this episode of Fighting B.A.C.K. with Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, courageous mother JF, shares her story of surviving an abusive relationship only to be battered through the family court system where she lost custody of her infant son to an abuser in a temporary order that continues to this day.
The State of Maryland later issued felony child abduction charges against JF for efforts to protect her son after his father had bruised and battered him during a two day weekend stay. On May 24, 2017, after a three day jury trial, eight woman and four men briefly deliberated and returned a unanimous not guilty verdict. Despite this, the child has not been returned and remains in the custody of a dangerous abuser.
JF was the primary caregiver when she was forcibly separated from her son, age 15 months, due to an unjust court order that has denied any and all access for visitation for over 8 long months, and counting. Sadly, the fight for her child’s freedom, and safety, continues to be an unbelievable struggle in the Howard County Circuit Court, where a custody hearing will be held this August.
Tune in to Fighting B.A.C.K. to hear JF share her story.
Other topics discussed include: protecting children from abuse, family court failures and updates from Sandra on her story, and her case.
Congressional Testimony: Caroline Marie Rice to Bill Windsor of Lawless America.
“Our family was torn apart by violence, now it’s being torn apart by lies, I am so sorry for my children. I’m sorry I stayed too long. I don’t know what will happen next.. but I will stand for the truth.”
Thank you Caroline for bravely sharing your story… you do not fight alone.
Lawless America is a documentary film that is exposing government corruption, judicial corruption, and law enforcement corruption.
Vargas goes on to say that “David works to mend his fractured relationship with them..” ignoring records that reveal all five of the Rucki children had disclosed that Rucki had physically and mentally abused them, and had threatened their lives. The response of the family court was NOT to protect the children, but, instead order them into “deprogramming” and “reunification therapy” to force them to recant abuse allegations, and accept a relationship with Rucki. Court records document the visible fear the children felt towards their father, including one of the children becoming physically ill and having to leave the room after being forced into a session with Rucki. 
Justice for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Children 