Public Domain: http://www.clipartpanda.com
“Conservative Law & Politics” with Lee Dryer interviews Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Michael Volpe about her family court and criminal cases. Hear about her lawyer trying a custody case strapped to a wheelchair and how a SWAT Team from the US Marshals served a bogus warrant. Also discussed is the 20/20 episode “Footprints in the Snow“.
Click on the videos below to listen.
Public Domain: http://www.gsfdcy.com
Reader submits comment to AM950 regarding the Matt McNeil show’s coverage of the Grazzini-Rucki case, stating the station has “lowered its standards” because the broadcast sends a “victim shaming message” to victims of domestic violence.
The comment also addresses Michael Brodkorb’s statement that there is no documented evidence of abuse in the Grazzini-Rucki case by pointing to multiple records that document abuse towards Sandra and the children; further proving that ex-husband/father David Rucki is a danger.
Listen to the interview here: Matt McNeil Show feat Michael Brodkorb 1/30/2018
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.
Contact:
CHAD LARSON
Station Owner
Tel: (952) 946-8885 ext. 19
Cell: (952) 693-6032
chad@am950radio.com
Live Monday-Friday: 3PM-4PM
Call-In Line: (952) 946-6205
Email the Show: comment@am950radio.com
_______________________
Hello AM 950 Radio,
I am writing to provide feedback, and additional documentation regarding the Sandra Grazzini-Rucki case, which was featured on an episode of the Matt McNeil story with guest Michael Brodkorb. It is very disappointing that AM 950 has lowered its standards to allow a broadcast that promotes re-victimization of victims of domestic violence by expressing support and sympathy to a dangerous abuser and by sending a victim shaming message. Additionally, the broadcast offers false, and misleading information regarding the Grazzini-Rucki case.
Mr. Brodkorb claims there is no documented evidence of abuse and portrays the victim, Sandra as a liar and vindictive ex-spouse. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there is overwhelming evidence of David Rucki’s abuse towards his family, and overwhelming evidence of Rucki’s propensity towards violence, which has spilled onto the streets of our community. It is courageous that Sandra has come forward to disclose the abuse she, and the children have suffered, and worked so hard to protect her children through the legal and court system – fighting all the way to the Supreme Court.
As a credible news organization, I urge you to do your due diligence and review the following documentation of Rucki’s violent behavior:
– druckipolicereports 99 page document of Rucki’s violence, threats and stalking against Sandra and children. Additional complaints, and protective orders were filed after Rucki exhibited violent and frightening behavior towards other family members, neighbors, and other innocent members in the community. Police complaints against Rucki, also detailing violent and threatening behavior. Petitions for protective orders. Violations of protective orders.
Page 2 Rucki “...started to argue and swear and one time threatened to get tough with one of our employees. Deft. was asked numerous times to leave the business and he refused. Deft. was asked by police to leave and he refused. Deft. swore and hollered at officers all the way to the jail…“
Page 5 Rucki threatened a family member, “I’m coming after you and you won’t see me coming…” And “It probably won’t be me (that will get you).“ The family member reported feeling fearful and that Rucki will follow through on his threats. He was afraid to file charges for assault because he felt it would only make Rucki angrier.
Page 75 a witness who had a close relationship to the Rucki children says,”I have come to the conclusion that the children have had some type of abuse connected with their father based on my experience and education as a former police detective…“
He goes on to say,”Another time I heard Nico say,’I’m sick of being a punching bag for my dad.’
Nia has probably been the most willing to disseminate information but not specific details. For example, ‘my dad does stuff to us that he shouldn’t do..‘”
And, “What is most disturbing is that everything the the doorbell or a knock on the door the children flee to their bedrooms in fear that their father David is trying to get in.”
Public Domain Image: WallpaperUP
Page 11 documents an incident involving harassment and threats Rucki made against a neighbor. As a result the neighbor filed for, and received, a protective order against Rucki not only on behalf of his family but also to ban Rucki from the daycare he ran inside his home. If Rucki is not safe around children in the neighborhood, why would he be safe around his own children?
Page 24 the neighbor writes about Rucki,“In our near decade of living next to him (Rucki) I have found him to be a very angry individual who rages at anyone who has contention or confronts him. It got so severe against our family that the court awarded us a restraining order against him in September of 2009…As police reports can verify, he has boldly cursed profanely at, and tried to strongly intimidate, Lakeville’s female animal control officer. It is logical to conclude he is capable of more towards those more vulnerable, such as his wife and children.” (Also read: Police Report, HRO: David Rucki is Dangerous, Not Safe Around Children)
– 20 page CPS report detailing abuse allegations against the Rucki children, includes a social worker report from Samantha and Gianna Rucki after they were recovered in November 2015 after going into hiding for 2 years to escape their father’s abuse: Grazzini-Rucki Social Service Records
Page 7 from the social worker report recording her interview with Samantha,”Home life was awful prior to the divorce. They tip-toed around dad and he was physically abusive to her mom. Dad ripped off the leg of the organ and ran after mom. She would have bruises here and there. Dad was rough with Sam on occasion where he would grab her a few times and shook her. He was mostly emotionally abusive. Her dad would make comments like your boobs looking big, he would grab her leg and massage her and this never felt good, it was uncomfortable...”
In regards to the allegations of Parental Alienation, and the children were being brainwashed by Sandra, the social worker report notes further on page 7, from Samantha,”They were told by so many people that they were being brainwashed and needed to be de-programmed. She never felt they were brainwashed...”
Page 7 Social worker notes in her report from Gianna Rucki,“Her dad would stalk the house when they were with mom. He showed anger like ‘I’m going to kill you’. … One time after a hockey game her dad rubbed her inner thigh. Dad shoved mom often…” Gianna also expressed fear of Rucki and stated she does not want to live with him based on his treatment of her, and based on the domestic violence she witnessed. Rather, she would like to have contact with her father when she is ready. Gianna says “she does not feel mom played a role in her thoughts or feelings about her dad“.
-The Dakota County social worker believed the abuse allegations raised by Samantha and Gianna, and during the emergency protective hearing held in November 2015, argued to the court that the girls should remain in foster care for safety reasons, and that Rucki should only have supervised visits with the girls (see page 23 for social worker recommendations) EPC Hearing Transcript Nov 30, 2015
-It should be noted that Judge Michael Mayer, who returned Samantha and Gianna to Rucki’s custody after the hearing is a close friend of the family court judge presiding over the Grazzini-Rucki case, Judge David L. Knutson. Judge Mayer was also involved in the harassment attorney Michelle MacDonald endured after being illegally detained during the Grazzini-Rucki custody case. At the time Rucki was granted custody of the children, he was on probation for violating a protective order against Sandra. And at the time Samantha and Gianna were placed in his custody in 2015, Rucki was on probation for beating a motorist during a road rage incident. These are not isolated incidents. Abusive behavior involves a pattern of power and control exhibited with violent and threatening behavior. That pattern has been well-established to exist with Rucki.
-In a 2013 audio recording, Samantha Rucki testifies about her father’s abuse and how the family court failed to protect her, and her siblings, from abuse.
The reason why Samantha and her sister ran away, and went into hiding in April 2013, is because they were afraid of their father, and the court was contributing to the harm against them.
She says about her father: “He (Rucki) threw her against the wall (Sandra) and said he was going to kill her but didn’t want to face the consequences…”
“He’s (Rucki) lost it on us kids a number of times.. He threw Nia (sister) onto a couch and started choking her, and she’s 11….”
–The State’s own witness once wrote a letter criticizing Judge Knutson’s handling of the Grazzini-Rucki case, and was particularly angry that the Rucki children disclosed abuse and the court ignored and suppressed abuse allegations, putting the lives of the children at risk. Potential State Witness Wrote Letter to Judge Knutson – Criticizing Court’s Failure to Protect Rucki Children from Abuse
The witness writes,“In cases like this I have to wonder how our system got to the point that destroying families in today’s society is ok. I think of all of the children that have been murdered by their parents in disputes and I have to wonder how you could put those children in this position. How will you feel if the next time David Rucki loses control, one of these children are severely injured or worse yet dead. In my opinion David Rucki is a loose cannon and you are playing right into his hands.
I sincerely hope that you can look at ALL of the facts of this case, realize that you have made some huge mistakes, allowed other huge mistakes to be made and that you will someday allow these children to live their lives in the home where they feel protected…”
The letter written by the witness was once publicly posted on the Carver County Corruption blog. The blog was taken off the internet in June 2016 after threats of civil litigation from David Rucki, and his high-buck attorney Marshall Tanick (how does a welfare recipient afford to retain multiple attorneys?!?). It should be noted that Michael Brodkorb has permanently routed all traffic from the Carver County Corruption blog so that potential visitors will instead visit his propaganda blog. This is clearly an effort by Rucki to silence the fact in the case, and those telling the truth.
–Multiple witnesses confirm that sisters Samantha and Gianna Rucki were afraid of their father, David Rucki, and both described various incidents of physical and emotional abuse at his hands. The sisters said they felt safe at the White Horse Ranch, and did not want to leave. These statements were revealed in a recent report from an investigator with over 10 years experience in the criminal justice field, who interviewed the witnesses. Witness Reports
As far as Michael Brodkorb, he is not a credible source for information on the Grazzini-Rucki case. His reporting is one-sided and engages in personal attacks, and spreading false information that is so unprofessional it borders on harassment. Brodkorb has an established history working as an attack blogger with a long history of being paid to discredit and smear targets, his “work” (if you can call it that!) on the Grazzini-Rucki case is no different than when he was paid as a political operative.
Michael Brodkorb’s aggressive, and threatening tactics have been well documented –
Multiple articles on Red Herring Alert detail Brodkord’s harassment, slander and attacks against Dede Evavold, all done on behalf of David Rucki: Inverting Reality (Red Herring Alert)
Brodkorb involved in a domestic abuse dispute with his wife: Michael Brodkorb’s Domestic Abuse Report
Retired Army Lt. Col. Joe Repya, described Brodkorb as “a ‘thug’ with ‘an intimidating personality’ who ran roughshod over party members, elected officials and even volunteers…’You have to understand how frightened people within the party became of Michael Brodkorb..” The Fall of Michael Brodkorb
Brodkorb also has a reputation for inciting fights within ranks of the Republican party, among his own team , where he was known for screaming fits and personal attacks against others, it said his eruptions could leave fear in his wake..” Michael Brodkorb: Admired, feared and, above all, Republican
That is to say you are putting someone on the air who is equally as out of control, and abusive, as David Rucki. Also note David Rucki has repeatedly threatened his victims that he is coming after them and quote “you won’t see me coming”. Samantha Rucki also stated that her father wanted to kill her mother but didn’t want to face the consequences. It is not a stretch to say that Rucki is using Brodkorb to accomplish his own dirty work.
A victim of domestic violence should never be placed in the position where she is blamed for the abuse inflicted on her. And a mother should never be criminally punished, or publicly ridiculed, for taking actions to save her children’s lives. That Rucki has been allowed to go unpunished for his vicious actions against his family and the community is a stain on Minnesota’s justice system.
I realize that many aspects of this case are beyond the control of AM 950, or that you had no role in what happened to Sandra, and her children. But you can still do the right thing regarding the Matt McNeil broadcast. In light of the following information, I am asking that you immediately issue a retraction and issue a public, formal apology to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki. To refuse to do so would only re-victimize Sandra, who has already unjustly suffered so much. And beyond Sandra’s case, failure to act on regards to Matt McNeil’s reckless broadcast will hurt the countless domestic violence survivors who are impacted by all media messages concerning violence – especially those that promote the dangerous behavior, and legal injustices that threaten their lives, and that of their children.
Regards,
The Coalition for Justice
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.
Listen to the interview here: Matt McNeil Show feat Michael Brodkorb 1/30/2018
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.
Contact:
CHAD LARSON
Station Owner
Tel: (952) 946-8885 ext. 19
Cell: (952) 693-6032
chad@am950radio.com
Live Monday-Friday: 3PM-4PM
Call-In Line: (952) 946-6205
Email the Show: comment@am950radio.com
________________________
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,
Source: Red Herring Alert (redherringalert.wordpress.com)
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.
Public Domain: Google Play Wallpaper
Realty Listing Photos Ireland Place
Defying Death: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Coming out of Hiding to Plead for the Lives and Safety of her Children, and to Demand Justice
Domestic Violence, Stalking, Threats, Courts and State Agencies Covering Up Child Abuse, Financial Fraud, Collusion, Judges Breaking the Law…
How has this been allowed to happen within Minnesota’s ‘justice’ system?
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, a stay-at-home mother of five children, suffered 20+ years of extreme physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and cruelty, at the hands of her violent and controlling husband, David Rucki. Rucki’s abuse was also inflicted on the children, including three who were murdered after he brutally beat Sandra while pregnant, causing miscarriage.
One of Sandra’s daughters (who ran away due to the abuse) has said about her father: “He (Rucki) threw her against the wall (Sandra) and said he was going to kill her but didn’t want to face the consequences…”
“He’s (Rucki) lost it on us kids a number of times.. He threw Nia (sister) onto a couch and started choking her, and she’s 11….” A Child’s Desperate Cry for Help: 2013 Audio of S.R. Begging for Protection from Abusive Father, Dakota County Family Court
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki
Rucki’s dangerous behavior towards his family, and the public, is well established and includes a lengthy CPS file documenting incidents of abuse against the children, numerous protective orders filed against him (including a protective order banning Rucki from harassing children at a local daycare), and surveillance photos capturing incidents of stalking and harassment,among other evidence. Rucki also has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple police reports filed against him as well as convictions for violent offenses. Rucki is not only a danger to Sandra, and the children, but to the community as well. (See: The definitive dossier documenting David Rucki’s violence: 99 pages of police reports, orders for protection, letters, affidavits, and more…)
In 2011, Sandra divorced Rucki, agreeing to walk away from their multi-million dollar business and monetary holdings in order to escape his abuse. Sandra asked only for custody of the five children, seeking to safely rebuild their lives.
Judge David L Knutson (Dakota County, MN)
The Grazzini-Rucki divorce was presided over by Judge David L Knutson, personally chosen by Rucki. Judge Knutson has consistently given special treatment to Rucki, breaking the law to do so, and enabled a dangerous abuser to re-victimize Sandra, and the children, using the court system as a weapon. As a result of proceedings, Sandra has been forcibly separated from her children, made homeless and destitute, all personal assets and property seized and given to Rucki, targeted for attempted murder, extreme harassment, and stalked by the ex-husband who promised to “see her dead”. –This all happening with the assistance of Minnesota’s judges and justice system.
David Rucki
David Rucki is wealthy and well-connected, and has gained the protection and assistance of the Minnesota court system and its corrupt judges, along with others at various levels of the state and local, and even federal government. Those colluding in the Grazzini-Rucki case have broken numerous laws and violated Constitutional rights without impunity – acting together to assist in the destruction of Sandra, who has bravely spoken out to expose the corruption, and demanded that her children be protected from abuse.
Throughout court proceedings, the children bravely came forward to disclose physical, sexual, and mental abuse from their father. At every level, under orders from Judge Knutson, the court and its professionals (GAL, therapists, doctors, CPS, police, etc) not only failed to protect the children but worked to force them back into the custody of Rucki, a man so dangerous that he once threatened to shoot them all.
The reckless actions of the court caused such fear that in April 2013, the two oldest daughters ran away, and went into hiding for 2 years, to escape their father’s abuse. (See: The court created horror of the five Rucki children)
Incredibly, after being recovered, the children again spoke up about the abuse only to be placed back into the custody of Rucki, where they remain trapped to this day.
Sandra was criminally charged for her role in assisting her oldest daughters; she raised the affirmative defense that her actions were taken to protect her children from imminent harm. She encountered even more injustice in criminal proceedings, notably that the trial judge disallowed evidence and testimony that would show Rucki’s abuse, and support her defense. The trial was also troubled with jury tampering, prosecutorial misconduct, and Rucki even threatened witnesses on the steps of the courthouse. Sandra was found guilty in a trial so outrageous that it has been called a “rigged trial” and the judge presiding over it declared the “personal judge of David Rucki”.
Against all odds, Sandra has survived and now is speaking out in this video to share her incredible story. Coming out of hiding, Sandra pleads for someone to intervene to protect her children and pursue criminal actions against David Rucki, and those conspiring and colluding with him to commit various crimes.
Source: http://ww2.carshdwallpaper.info
We need the public’s assistance to hold the David Rucki, the courts, and all others, held accountable and to help the children receive justice – visit the link below for suggestions on how you can help: How You Can Help Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Fight for Justice
Also write a letter to the public officials listed below to voice your thoughts, and complaints, on the Grazzini-Rucki case.
CONTACTS:
ABC 20/20 – Share your thoughts on the slanted reporting in “Footprints in the Snow”. 20/20 also sent the message that children who report abuse could be “brainwashed” and not truthful about what they have experienced:
ABC President Channing Dungey: channing.dungey@abc.com
Sean Dooley- producer 20/20 sean.dooley@abc.com
Beth Mullen- 20/20 producer beth.a.mullen@abc.com
DAKOTA COUNTY:
James Backstrom, Dakota County Prosecutor – attorney@co.dakota.mn.us
Beau Berentson, public affairs officer for the Minnesota Courts – beau.berentson@courts.state.mn.us
Monica Jenson, public affairs officer for the Dakota County Prosecutor – monica.jensen@co.dakota.mn.us
Tim Leslie, Dakota County Sheriff – (651) 438-4710, tim.leslie@co.dakota.mn.us
Marybeth Schubert, public affair officer for Dakota County – marybeth.schubert@co.dakota.mn.us
STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Lori Swanson, Attorney General for Minnesota – attorney.general@ag.state.mn.us
Dave Oney, public affairs officer for the US Marshals Minnesota Court of Appeals (651) 296-2581 – dave.oney@usdoj.gov
Lakeville Mayor Doug P Anderson (952) 985-4410 or danderson@lakevillemn.gov
Staff Directory, City of Lakeville, Minnesota
Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards Timothy Gephart, Chair judicial.standards@state.mn.us
________________________
(Note: Video Shared by Coalition for Justice. E-mail: defingdeath@protonmail.com)
“I’m just asking that you let us live with our Mom.. because this court, Dakota County Courts, Judge Knutson, Miss Friedrichs (GAL), Doctor, have been ruthless, and playing favoritism with my father, and calling us liars…”
An audio recording made by 14-year old Samantha Rucki describing the violent and frightening behavior of her father, David Rucki, and the failure of the family court to protect her and her siblings from abuse, has resurfaced after disappearing when the Carver County Corruption blog was shut down (the blog was taken offline in June 2016 due to threats of legal action from David Rucki).
This recording was posted originally on the Carver County Corruption blog, and in an effort to help Sandra and her children, was sent with a letter explaining the case to the entire Minnesota State Legislature, but no one did anything to intervene or protect the Rucki children. Samantha and her sister, Gianna, was eventually forced to live with Rucki, while the media- namely 20/20- ignored this evidence and portrayed Sandra, who fought to save her children from abuse, as the villain.
Public Domain Image (Source: Pinterest)
Samanatha reveals shocking allegations of child abuse, and domestic violence in this audio. The abuse was the reason she, and her sister, Gianna, ran in away in April 2013, and went into hiding in order to save their lives after the family court failed to protect them, and their siblings from a violent father:
Samantha says the Dakota County family court handling the divorce and custody case contributed to the abuse:
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich
The audio recording was created sometime in 2013, around the time Samantha and her sister went into hiding to escape her father’s abuse after the family court presided by Judge David L Knutson, failed to protect them, and instead ordered the frightened teens into “de-programming” and “reunification therapy” with the intent to award custody to David Rucki, father.
Judge David L Knutson
Samantha and her siblings had disclosed acts of physical and emotional abuse, and witnessing their father abuse towards their mother, to various professionals including: police, therapists, CPS workers, the Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich, and to Judge Knutson, to no avail. Instead of being protected the children were called “liars” and accused of being “brain washed” by their mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki. Samantha says her mother never alienated her from her father or spoke badly about Rucki to the children. In fact, Samantha says, she was given phones, facebook, and e-mail and could have contacted Rucki at any time but chose not to (due to his abuse). The children deny they were brainwashed, and say they do not need programming… they just need to be protected from the abuse.
The children were re-traumatized when forced into “reunification therapy” with their father. Reunification therapy involved pressuring the children to recant abuse allegations and drilling them with negative messages about their mother in order to break their bond with her. The family court system worked to cover up the abuse to the detriment of the children, who began to de-stabilize in reunification therapy. During one session, it was reported the youngest child was locked in a room with therapist, Dr. James Gilbertson, and during session, “blood curdling” screams emitted from the room, filling the halls. The oldest children were separated from the youngest with the intent to isolate the siblings, and make them easier to control. Samantha and her sister, Gianna, were purposely made unable to do anything to help their younger sibling but took on the role as comforter after their mother was removed from their lives (due to an illegal court order by Judge David L Knutson).
The failure of the family court to protect the children from abuse, and re-traumatization caused by the denial of the abuse followed by reunification therapy created the crisis that led to Samantha and Gianna Rucki, to run away, in fear for their lives, in April 2013 after they became aware that the court intended to place them back into the custody of their father.
In this audio from 2013, Samantha begs for someone to help protect her from her father’s abuse and from the family court. She also begs to live with mother, who she says “is my rock”. When begging to live with her mom, Samantha’s voice breaks, she pleads “just please let us live with our Mom and be happy.”
The sisters remained in hiding for 2 years before being recaptured and sent to live with their father against their will.
Letter from Dr James Gilbertson to GAL Julie Friedrichs acknowledging abuse allegations raised by Rucki children – response is to force visits with the father they fear
Note – Blogs Reporting on Grazzini-Rucki Case Intimidated, Threatened with Legal Action by David Rucki in an Effort to Suppress Truth:
“Have the courage to do the right thing and clean up the favoritism, fraud, and abuses occurring in our court systems….” Carver County Corruption Blog, June 2013
The cries for help from the Rucki children have been silenced, first by the abuse and then by the corrupt family court system in Dakota County that enabled and protected a dangerous man, David Rucki. Even the mainstream media, including national news outlet ABC 20/20, as engage in a conspiracy of denial and silence. The lives of children are at stake – when blogs are shut down, an avenue to help or support is as well.
David Rucki has worked to shut down two blogs – Carver County Corruption and Red Herring Alert – in order to suppress his abuse of Sandra and the children, and to suppress the truth about the corruption in the Dakota County court system involved in this case, from reaching the public.
The Carver County Corruption blog was created in 2012 to expose family court, and judicial actions, in Carver County that have unlawfully deprived parents of their rights, and their children; and put the lives of children at risk by placing them in the custody of abusive parents.
The blog was started by a courageous mother who had experienced injustice in family court, resulting in her children being wrongfully taken from her without any findings or abuse or legal justification. For history on the blog please read: Carver County (Patch)
The CCC blog inspired other parents from across Minnesota, and the nation, to share similar stories of unjust family court rulings. As a result, parents and advocates began to unite to demand reform in family court, and in the judiciary. As a result of the Carver County Blog, numerous complaints were filed with various state agencies regarding the practices of family court; other complaints focused on actions taken in specific cases. During its peak, the parents and advocates involved with the CCC blog visited over 40 Minnesota State legislators, and traveled to Washington D.C. to voice concerns.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was among the parents who shared their story (with documentation and court records) on the CCC blog. The CCC blog was instrumental in exposing the illegal and lawless actions of Judge David L Knutson, documenting the abuse of the five Rucki children, and taking this case from a closed courtroom to the public. The CCC blog became a major source to read about the Grazzini-Rucki case, with its links being shared across the nation.
The Carver County Corruption blog inspired family court reform in Minnesota, but exposing the truth about corrupt family courts, and the dangerous abusers who are awarded custody of children resulted in retaliation first from the family court who tried to shut it down, then from David Rucki who took a second swing at the blog. In June 2016, after threats of civil litigation from David Rucki and his high buck attorney, Marshall Tanick, the CCC blog was finally removed from the web.
Read More: David Rucki Claims Indigence – Hires Two Private Lawyers
The Red Herring Alert blog, which offers articles on current events, politics and has also covered the Grazzini-Rucki case, was also threatened with civil litigation at the same time as the CCC blog but resisted Rucki’s efforts to shut it down.
David Rucki has escalated efforts to take Red Herring Alert off the internet by filing a fraudulent harassment restraining order against blog owner, Dede Evavold, claiming public coverage of the Grazzini-Rucki case is a threat to his life, this despite the case being covered by his own personal blogger as well as covered by news sources across the nation, including ABC 20/20.
Red Herring Alert continues to report news and updates on the Grazzini-Rucki case; and expose the truth about the abuse suffered by Sandra and the children at Rucki’s hands, and the lawless courts that protect him. Publicity is vital to demand justice, and protect these children! Show your support of Red Herring Alert and take a stand for freedom of speech – please visit, like, comment and share links. Red Herring Alert
(Dakota County, Minn, 1/21/2018) Michael Volpe investigates mortgage fraud in the Grazzini-Rucki case: David Rucki Commits Apparent Mortgage Fraud
By Michael Volpe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The initial document which started this investigation was sent by Michael Brodkorb, who runs a blog dedicated to bad mouthing Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and anyone who supports her, to an Angie Young.
He sent it to Young because the initial document is signed A. Young and Angie Young is neighbors with Dede Evavold, a supporter of Grazzini-Rucki.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As his divorce was heating up, David Rucki engaged in blatant and brazen mortgage fraud.
According to the tract search, on June 3, 2011, the mortgage on Rucki’s Lakeville home was satisfied, meaning it was paid off, but inexplicably, his house was then foreclosed on- only to have him or his agents buy it back at auction every time- and sold at auction four times.
Rucki continues to own the property with numerous dubious and potentially fraudulent entries.
In the first case, Deutsche Bank Trust is listed as a brand-new mortgagor, the one providing the loan, on June 30, 2012.
On October 11, 2012, as part of a foreclosure, Deutsche Bank Trust was removed as the mortgagor in pen on the property and Wallingford Capital was written in instead.
Lawton King at Deutsche Bank said the loan was being serviced by Ocwen which provided this statement: “This loan is not in our system. We also checked different variation.”
Deutsche Bank, and their public affairs officer Lawton King, did not provide any further details on what happened to the loan.
According to the same document, Wallingford Capital then assumed this loan of $140,365 at 4.75%, an unusually low rate for a property bought at foreclosure, but David Rucki continued to remain in the property. Wallingford Capital did not return a message for comment.
The law firm Shapiro and Zielke was listed as handling the sale; their managing partner, Lawrence Zielke, issued this statement.
“This was a public sale. We do not control which party bids at sale. I suggest you consult with your own real estate lawyer so counsel can walk your through this process. I have nothing further to say on this matter.”
But Sandra Grazzini-Rucki said she spoke with a realtor who tried to attend one of the four so-called foreclosure sales; the realtor said they were not allowed in and the sale was done privately, with no prior public announcement, and not publicly as is supposed to be done.
Zielke had no further comment.
Realty Listing Photos Ireland Place
In another case, Rucki’s attorney, Lisa Elliott, places an attorney’s lien on Rucki’s property in the amount of $60,000 on July 12, 2012.
Elliott, who has represented Rucki in his divorce starting around this time, did not respond to an email for comment.
She then transferred that lien to NJD Properties which then transferred the lien to Danmark Properties.
Brian Hoelscher represented NJD in the transaction: “I had a look at title and have attached the tract history. Mr. Rucki’s attorney had a lien on the property from the divorce, the first mortgage went into foreclosure so my client bought the attorney lien to be in line to redeem as a junior creditor in the event that Mr. Rucki did not redeem as owner. That is a typical transaction for my client. I advised my client to get a confirmation from the debtor as to the validity of the attorney lien (which is the document to which you were referring that I drafted) since the lien is involuntary and without the confirmation could be contested and found ultimately worthless.
“My client bought the lien and soon thereafter sold the position to Danmark Properties LLC. Mr. Rucki redeemed as the owner and Danmark Properties LLC had a foreclosure sale to enforce the attorney lien. Mr. Rucki again redeemed as the owner. It looks like he still owns it subject to existing liens including the 2nd mortgage in favor of Excel Bank recorded as Document No. 2263968 (unless that was paid but never satisfied of record) as well as other possible lien(s) and the mortgage he took out in 2015. It doesn’t look like he avoided any of the liens so I am not sure where you got your information. In any event, to the extent that anything nefarious was occurring, it certainly did not involve my client.”
But according to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, this explanation makes no sense. First, Elliott had only started to represent David Rucki, it’s not clear how she even racked up $60,000 in fees if it had been less than a month. (It’s noteworthy that he now demands child support from the homeless Sandra Grazzini-Rucki)
Second, she said the divorce judge, Judge David Knutson, ordered that this lien be paid from the trust of her parents.
Knutson ordered 100% of the marital estate to go to David Rucki, ordered that Sandra Grazzini-Ruck pay child support and alimony, along with ordering that David Rucki receive sole custody of the children.
Knutson did not respond to an email for comment.
Finally, David Rucki is a multi-millionaire who should have no trouble paying a $60,000 debt.
Danmark properties then pops up again on the tract search as the purchaser of a loan at a foreclosure auction on December 18, 2013.
But David Rucki continued to live in the property throughout, he then purchased the property at another foreclosure auction on June 10, 2014.
In other words, he didn’t have money to pay for the monthly mortgage payment but somehow had enough money to purchase the entire mortgage.
Attorney Lisa Elliot
Then, Lisa Elliott transferred yet another lien to David Rucki on March 10, 2014. It’s not clear what lien this is as she had supposedly sold her lien to NJD Properties.
Danmark Properties did not respond to an email for comment.
Finally, David Rucki then transferred to mortgage to his parent’s trust on April 29, 2015, and that trust currently owns the property which he lives on.
He also owns three other homes.
The initial document which started this investigation was sent by Michael Brodkorb, who runs a blog dedicated to bad mouthing Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and anyone who supports her, to an Angie Young.
He sent it to Young because the initial document is signed A. Young and Angie Young is neighbors with Dede Evavold, a supporter of Grazzini-Rucki.
Young denied making the document and Brodkorb said: “You clearly received this document from Mrs. Evavold, as it contains the file I named and sent to Mrs. Young.
“Mrs. Young confirmed tonight that she did not author this document in 2013, and the authenticity of the underlying document is in doubt.
“This won’t stop you from publishing it again, but I cannot publish this document since the alleged author denies the document is truthful.”
But Young, in an interview with me, didn’t deny the document’s truthfulness but having put it together entirely.
Brodkorb had no comment on how a property could be foreclosed on so many times by a multi-millionaire and the numerous disappearing mortgages.
I also sent these documents to 20/20 and the President of ABC, Channing Dungey, without response, however less than a week after sending these documents Elizabeth Vargas surprised the media world by announcing she was leaving ABC after more than two decades with the network.
It’s not clear if the two events are correlated.
20/20 ignored a mountain of evidence of abuse in favor of painting Sandra Grazzini-Rucki as mentally unstable and not providing any evidence of abuse.
Grazzini-Rucki said a source in ABC said 20/20 made a secret deal with David Rucki about which questions he could be asked and even gave him editing power over the broadcast.
Vargas and the two producers- Sean Dooley and Beth Mullens- of the 20/20 broadcast of this story declined to respond to numerous emails when I raised this allegation.
Dungey also declined to respond to emails to confirm or deny this allegation. Lisa Elliott also did not respond to emails to confirm or deny this allegation.
Check out David Rucki’s mortgage fraud dossier here.
Check out the tract search on Rucki’s property here.
Source: First Amendment Court Case #19AV-CR-17-16709/
Posted January 10, 2018 on Red Herring Alert Blog by Dede Evavold
Senior Judge Philip T. Kanning (Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch)
(Double click to zoom)
The above case was in front of none other than Judge Karen Asphaug and prosecuted by Elliot Knetsch who is now prosecuting me. A preliminary hearing was held on December 31, 2009 and as a result of the hearing, a trial was scheduled for February 8, 2010. On the eve of the trial, the defense filed a motion to dismiss for “lack of probable cause.” That motion was granted without a hearing by Judge Asphaug and the case was thrown out.
My free speech hearing is scheduled for March 14th at the Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley.
14955 Galaxie Ave. West
December 8, 2017: Michael Volpe
Source: Judge Halbrooks: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Too Poor For Court Costs But Can Pay Child Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is not the first time Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks has ruled on matters related to Grazzini-Rucki.
In September 2012, Grazzini-Rucki was ordered out of her home, out of the state, and ordered not to contact anyone she knew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Months after a Minnesota Appeal’s Court Judge ruled that Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was capable of paying nearly $1,000 per month in child support, the same judge ruled that paying several hundred dollars in her ex-husband’s court costs would be too burdensome.
On December 1, 2017, Minnesota Appeal’s Court Judge Jill Flaskamps Halbrooks ruled on Sandra Grazzini-Rucki paying for David Rucki’s court costs.
“Although David Rucki prevailed on appeal, it appears that allowance of the claimed costs and disbursements would cause financial hardship, in light of the district court’s determination that appellant (Sandra Grazzini-Rucki) is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis.”
When someone receives in forma pauperis status, they are deemed to poor to afford an attorney.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has been represented in her divorce since early 2013 by Michelle MacDonald, who has worked pro-bono since receiving a $5,000 payment at the beginning of the case.
The same Judge, Jill Flaskamps-Halbrooks, ruled in September 2017 that Sandra Grazzini-Rucki had the ability to pay her ex-husband $975 per month in child support, despite Grazzini-Rucki being convicted of six felonies, homeless, and unemployed.
Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks. Source: http://www.mncourts.gov
“Grazzini-Rucki asserts that she had no ability to pay child support because her employment with the airline was ‘in flux’ and that the CSM made ‘vague, generalized and conclusory findings’ that did not justify imputing income under Minn. Stat. § 518A.32, subd. 1.5 But these assertions misconstrue the record, particularly the evidence admitted during the September 2016 hearing. The CSM found that after Grazzini-Rucki was released from jail, she submitted a document in March 2016 that stated that she currently worked as a flight attendant Grazzini-Rucki testified, and the CSM acknowledged, that her status of employment was unknown at the time of the September 2016 hearing. But Grazzini-Rucki did not provide any evidence that her employment status had changed or that her employment had been terminated after March 2016.” Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks asserted in her August ruling, when she confirmed that an earlier ruling ordering Grazzini-Rucki to pay her ex-husband $975 per month was appropriate.
After Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks ruled in his favor in the child support appeal, his attorney, Lisa Elliott, filed to recoup his court costs.
Elliott did not respond to an email for comment.
David Rucki was granted child support even though he already received 100% of a multi-million-dollar estate which included numerous homes, classic cars, and the entirety of a thriving trucking business.
David Rucki
Rucki was also granted sole custody of the children and Grazzini-Rucki has not been allowed to see her children since early 2013; the divorce decision, handed down by Judge David Knutson, is one of the most one sided in the history of divorces.
Emails to Flaskamps-Halbrooks and Beau Berentson, public affairs officer for the Minnesota courts, were left unreturned.
The original ruling, made by Judge Maria Pastoor, was made in August 2016, while Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was awaiting sentencing for her role in hiding her two oldest daughters after they were forced by the Minnesota court system to live with their father.
Their father, David Rucki, has a long history of abuse including: a bar fight, a road rage incident, incidents of stalking, multiple violations of restraining orders and choking his wife.
None of this evidence of abuse was allowed into her criminal case by the trial judge, Karen Asphaug.
The judge in their custody matter, David Knutson, also excluded all this evidence when custody was being determined.
This is not the first time Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks has ruled on matters related to Grazzini-Rucki.
In September 2012, Grazzini-Rucki was ordered out of her home, out of the state, and ordered not to contact anyone she knew.
The ruling, made by Judge Knutson, was made after a telephonic conference which Grazzini-Rucki did not participate in.
When Judge Knutson refused to reverse the order, Grazzini-Rucki’s attorney, Michelle MacDonald, appealed to Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks who said the order was constitutional because it was a temporary order.
Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks also upheld Grazzini-Rucki’s conviction despite nearly all evidence that David Rucki is an abuser being stricken by the trial judge, Karen Asphaug.
There was also witness tampering and jury tampering.
In a police interview approximately a month before the trial, Grazzini-Rucki’s daughter, Samantha, told a police officer that her father was pressuring her to recant previous allegations of abuse.
“They (her father and his sister) basically said I have to (go to the interview) and I have to be here, and I have to recant everything I said and it’s going and that’s the way it’s gonna be- and they made me feel guilty about it and I started to cry.” Samantha told the detective in that interview.
Grazzini-Rucki’s defense was that her ex-husband was violent and abusive, and she hid her daughters to protect them from danger.
Judge Flaskamps-Halbrooks decided that Grazzini-Rucki received a fair trial despite these issues being presented in appeal.
Source: ABC 20/20 Screen Shot
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
Runaway Rucki Teen, G.R. also stated,”…He showed anger like, ‘I’m going to kill you…’ “ (Social Service Report, November 2015: Social Worker Recommended – Protective Care for Rucki Girls, Supervised Visits With Father Due to Safety Concerns)
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.
Justice for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Children 