Kevin Riach
Coverage of Kevin Riach in the Nexus archive.
- Documents show federal surveillance operation in Minnesota targeted progressive groups, unions
Federal agents launched surveillance operations, dubbed Operation Puppet Master and Project Whipple Shield, targeting progressive organizations and labor unions in Minneapolis. According to court documents, Department of Homeland Security officers infiltrated meetings at churches, schools, and parks discussing constitutionally protected protests. Defense lawyer Kevin Riach argued that these programs constituted a “broad and irrational investigation” driven by politics rather than criminal conduct.
- Documents show federal surveillance operation in Minnesota targeted progressive groups, unions
Court documents reveal that federal agents conducted a sweeping undercover surveillance operation, named Operation Puppet Master, targeting progressive organizations and labor unions in Minneapolis. This investigation included monitoring meetings at churches and schools and collecting financial records as part of a case involving individuals charged with impeding an immigration crackdown. Defense lawyers argued that the program was a "broad and irrational investigation" driven by politics rather than criminal conduct.