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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
THE MATT MCNEIL SHOW
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.”
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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
Justice for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Children 