Ellis Olkon is the lawyer-husband of Nancy Olkon, a candidate for Hennepin County Board of Commissioners in 1994. The Twin Cities Reader published a story in August 1994, just before the primary election, that characterized her tenure on the Board in the late ’70s as tumultuous and brought up her husband’s conviction (now expunged) and temporary disbarment. Mr. Olkon complains that the Reader was unfair in relying upon sources hostile to him and by not contacting him for comment on the story, although at least half of the story was about him and not about his wife, the candidate. Additionally, he claims the Reader defamed him by reporting that federal officials had accused him of having a financial interest in the Bunny Hutch, “a notorious St. Louis Park whorehouse,” and reporting that he “had” a witness testify to something in a court case, unfairly implying that he had induced false testimony. He says he was not charged with any crimes related to the Bunny Hutch. Finally Olkon felt the Reader story inaccurately characterized the results of a lawsuit the Olkons filed against Mark Andrew, another county commissioner, alleging unfair campaign practices.

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Appearing on behalf of the Twin Cities Reader were D. J. Tice and Ruth Hammond. Appearing for the complainant was Nkajlo V. Vangh, president and chairman of the board of Lao Family Community, who was accompanied by Stephen Young. Other persons from the Hmong community were also present.