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 Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks (Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch Bio)
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.
COMMENTS:
Truthseeker, 5/21/2013
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 of probation???
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.
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 