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Postville, IA - Search Warrants Executed At Agriprocessors |
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Last updated on: Aug 29, 2008 at 06:25 PM
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Postville, IA - The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and assisting agencies executed a search warrant today at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville.
Bob Brammer, spokesman for Iowa Attorney General's Office said no arrests were made today and no further information was available.
The office is serving as the prosecutor in the enforcement of state laws in connection with investigations stemming from the May 12 raid at the meat processing plant. The Allamakee County Attorney requested the Attorney General's Office to take on this role.
More than 300 illegal workers arrested in May at the Postville plant have been charged and sentenced for using false identification to obtain jobs and other federal charges. Some received prison time and others were sentenced to probation and deported.
Two supervisors at the plant recently pleaded to charges of aiding and abetting workers in obtaining false identification and hiring illegal immigrants.
The investigation is ongoing.
U/D
Chaim Abrahams spokesmen for Agriprocessors has just released below statement.
Agents from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation came today to the Agriprocessors' plant in Postville with a search warrant, took some photographs, and obtained samples of certain knives and cutting tools used by workers in the production process. As it has done in the past, the company cooperated completely. No one was arrested, and there was no interference with production. As the Attorney General's press release stated, no charges have been filed and the company, like everyone else in America, is to be "presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
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Read Comments (33) — Post Yours »
1
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:05 PM agri insider Says:
Statement of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office – Friday, August 29, 2008.
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office previously has acknowledged that at the request of the Allamakee County Attorney the AG’s Office is serving in the role of prosecutor in the enforcement of state laws in connection with investigations arising out of the May 12 activities at the Agriprocessors Postville facility. We are assisting the DCI and the Iowa State Division of Labor, which are the investigating agencies. That investigation is not yet complete.
In connection with that investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and assisting agencies executed a search warrant Friday at the Agriprocessors facility in Postville. No one was arrested.
The execution of a search warrant is not a finding of guilt. We note as usual that any potential criminal charge is merely an accusation and any potential defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
I understand a computer(s) and other equipment, possibly including band saws, were seized.
I've been told that yesterday, agents of Iowa OSHA were in Agriprocessors and were upset by what I believe are continued, repeat safety violations – including unguarded band saws.
2
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:06 PM yoli Says:
BARUCH SHECHEEYANA LAZMAN HAZEH . AMEM!
3
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:12 PM anon Says:
no surprise that this was done EREV SHABBOS!
4
Aug 29, 2008 at 04:11 PM common ¢ Says:
What is going on they are 10 times a week inthe news I think they should check the mezuzos ,write a letter to the igros kodesh ,get a brocho fro a tzadick , light candels for r mendl riminov etc.
5
Aug 29, 2008 at 04:13 PM postville resident Says:
Believe me this is is nothing compared to the raid of two months ago.
This was a government's desperate attempt to pin something on the company. It will take time but all is on way to closing the story.
6
Aug 29, 2008 at 04:33 PM joe Says:
This is getting outa hand! I've never seen the us gov out to get this company like anyone else. I think its time for a massive lawsuit! Its time the unions get put in there place.
7
Aug 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM anonymous Says:
Bandsaws? That they should have fixed months ago? That they were mentioned in the OSHA inspection in July? That Rubashkin already certified that was fixed 4 days after the inspection? That when you take the safetys off, you can cut off your fingers or hand?
And the best that 3:12 can say is that this was done erev shabbos?
8
Aug 29, 2008 at 05:30 PM Anonymous Says:
To Yoli that is saying Shechyanu etc.
Agri are decent people trying to run a company
and providing reasonably priced meat to the rabim.
They are being hounded for minor issues in a desperate attempt to damage them but they will get through this.
As for you, watching gleefully hoping that they go under - your day will come you sonei yisroel we'll see how you stand up under scrutiny.
9
Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03 PM Anonymous Says:
will this ever stop??????????how do we explain all this to our children???????????
10
Aug 29, 2008 at 06:58 PM DINI Says:
Anonymous Says:
To Yoli that is saying Shechyanu etc.
Agri are decent people trying to run a company
and providing reasonably priced meat to the rabim.
They are being hounded for minor issues in a desperate attempt to damage them but they will get through this.
As for you, watching gleefully hoping that they go under - your day will come you sonei yisroel we'll see how you stand up under scrutiny.
08-29-2008 - 5:30 PM
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yoli i agree with you whole heartedly.
we have to rid these monsters from our midst AND BRING IN A NEW COMPANY THAT ARE ehrlich NOT JUST FRUM.Hope this will teach everyone a lesson . UBEATA HARA MEEKIRBECHA amen1
11
Aug 29, 2008 at 06:58 PM Vote McCain Says:
Looks like the govt is kratzing to find something. I guess if you throw enough excrement on the wall eventually SOMETHING might stick.
12
Aug 30, 2008 at 08:47 PM anonymous Says:
anonymous Says:
Bandsaws? That they should have fixed months ago? That they were mentioned in the OSHA inspection in July? That Rubashkin already certified that was fixed 4 days after the inspection? That when you take the safetys off, you can cut off your fingers or hand?
And the best that 3:12 can say is that this was done erev shabbos?
8-29-2008 - 5:25 PM
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I agree with 5:25. There seems to be a downward suicidal spiral that the owners are doing to themselves.
Not to do safety repairs that they were already fined for and that they already said that was done is lunacy. This is not a union plot or something hatched by the competition. This is Rubashkin doing it to themselves.
13
Aug 30, 2008 at 09:25 PM DINI Says:
anon Says:
no surprise that this was done EREV SHABBOS!
08-29-2008 - 3:12 PM
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No surprise that rubashkin is slowly but surly bringing his own demise,.
Would rubashkin let his own kids and grand kids work on saws, let alone saws with out guards? what is Mr Rubashkin thinking? that osha will just disaapear?
And why isnt this new chevra man that agri hired to over look any violations? why isnt he doing his job?
14
Aug 30, 2008 at 09:31 PM AuthenticSatmar Says:
Why can the attorney general give the presumed innocence, yet us frum jews can't be "Dun lekaf zechus". A shanda.
15
Aug 30, 2008 at 09:57 PM look Says:
i would not bring my kids ona brihght day to a meat processing plant for a tour because i know there are dangers involved.. heck even mishkan hatcheles in israel that produces tashmishei kedusha like taleisim and tzitzis has a ORGINIZED tour PATH, now there has to be a diffrence between a talis that goes astray and a COW that goes astray.. (yes i am more worried fro a "mad cow" getting out of hand then a band saw)
16
Aug 30, 2008 at 10:01 PM david Says:
AuthenticSatmar Says:
Why can the attorney general give the presumed innocence, yet us frum jews can't be "Dun lekaf zechus". A shanda.
08-30-2008 - 9:31 PM
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if it was your child that worked under such conditions would u presume innocence too?
If the attorney generals office truly felt they were totally innocent then they would not have had such a big raid which was the biggest in us history untill last week. Take your head of your sand box and wake up
17
Aug 30, 2008 at 10:04 PM yoli Says:
look Says:
i would not bring my kids ona brihght day to a meat processing plant for a tour because i know there are dangers involved.. heck even mishkan hatcheles in israel that produces tashmishei kedusha like taleisim and tzitzis has a ORGINIZED tour PATH, now there has to be a diffrence between a talis that goes astray and a COW that goes astray.. (yes i am more worried fro a "mad cow" getting out of hand then a band saw)
08-30-2008 - 9:57 PM
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
and your point is?...
18
Aug 30, 2008 at 10:38 PM tzaddik ben Torah Says:
Not following safety laws of the country is serious and has nothing to do with being frum. Some people believe that businesses that deal in religious items,like selling Jewish books and products are exempt from collecting sales tax or reporting income,or following other secular laws.This has nothing to do with anti-semitism or sonei Yisroel. Frum Jews have to be MORE careful with following the local laws because they can cause a chillul Hashem by disregarding laws and cause a Kiddush Hahem by following the rules..Remember that stealing other people's identity and social security information to have a job is rather serious.
19
Aug 30, 2008 at 11:50 PM Genug Shoin Says:
These posts are ridiculous.
Many Rubashkins are working at the plant doing all kinds of work, heavy, dirty and dangerous.
They have a big plant. If anyone came with a microscope to any house or business and searched until they found something, they would undoubtedly find, too.
Why is the world not talking about a raid this week by ICE on another plant (non-kosher) where 600, that's right, 600 illegal workers were caught?
And to those of you out there, so full of glee:
Jews rejoice over a fellow Jews misfortune?
Especially, a fellow Jew that is a baal tzedaka and Chessed? A family of people
who give everything to others?
A family that literally supports widows and orphans, that pays for entire Chasunahs of orphans. A family that pays the tuition for so many in Yeshiva? A family that doesn't have a bad bone in their bodies?
Even if they were your enemy, which trust me, they are not: they are the nicest, most humble, unshowy, simple people you could ever meet. But even if they were your bitter enemy, did you ever hear of Binfol Ovecha Al Tismach?
Oy, vey, Yidden.
You seem to have forgotten that there is an Eibershter Oif Dem Velt.
But there is one.
And He won't forget.
20
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:12 AM Anonymous Says:
You guys are so misguided that you'll believe everything you hear. Just think for a moment....after the May 12 raid & subsequent problems, do you honestly think that the developers of a billion (?) dollar enerprise, which revived a whole town, would be so stupid as to not make sure everything was absolutely perfect in the future?
This is quite clearly a vicious vendetta, a witchunt, to destroy a prospering business & to harm hundreds of Jews. Think about that when you rub your hands with glee & take pleasure in all this.
As for Yoeli...your name says it all. You just hate Lubavitch, don't you? Maybe you're related in some way to the Tzaddik from the Monsey meat scandal? Get a life!
21
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:37 AM bj Says:
Genug Shoin Says:
These posts are ridiculous.
Many Rubashkins are working at the plant doing all kinds of work, heavy, dirty and dangerous.
They have a big plant. If anyone came with a microscope to any house or business and searched until they found something, they would undoubtedly find, too.
============================================
are u an ignoramous o r just plain stupid? how can u parallel a microscopic proble with un guided saws used by kids and young adults?
22
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:39 AM mendel Says:
Anonymous Says:
You guys are so misguided that you'll believe everything you hear. Just think for a moment....after the May 12 raid & subsequent problems, do you honestly think that the developers of a billion (?) dollar enerprise, which revived a whole town, would be so stupid as to not make sure everything was absolutely perfect in the future?
This is quite clearly a vicious vendetta, a witchunt, to destroy a prospering business & to harm hundreds of Jews. Think about that when you rub your hands with glee & take pleasure in all this.
As for Yoeli...your name says it all. You just hate Lubavitch, don't you? Maybe you're related in some way to the Tzaddik from the Monsey meat scandal? Get a life!
08-31-2008 - 12:12 AM
===========================================
MR AAnonymous ,
time will tell as to who is really misguided.
23
Aug 31, 2008 at 01:22 AM To The Chochom, bj Says:
To Bj
Obviously, your sense of literary license is pretty shabby.
Microscopic is a 'figure of speech' to infer when someone really wants to tediously investigate.
It does not mean with a microscope.
Talk about plain stupid!
24
Aug 31, 2008 at 07:49 AM Anonymous Says:
common ¢ Says:
What is going on they are 10 times a week inthe news I think they should check the mezuzos ,write a letter to the igros kodesh ,get a brocho fro a tzadick , light candels for r mendl riminov etc.
08-29-2008 - 4:11 PM
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I think tha they should fix the equipment, pay salaries that the rest of the glatt industry pays and and for mechila for the chillul Hashem that they caused.
25
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:09 PM bj Says:
To The Chochom, bj Says:
To Bj
Obviously, your sense of literary license is pretty shabby.
Microscopic is a 'figure of speech' to infer when someone really wants to tediously investigate.
It does not mean with a microscope.
Talk about plain stupid!
08-31-2008 - 1:22 AM
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you are the ignoramous and illiterate here.
i wrote *microscopic probe* is what i wrote not microscope and not microscopic.
26
Aug 31, 2008 at 12:40 PM Anonymous Says:
These posts are ridiculous.
Many Rubashkins are working at the plant doing all kinds of work, heavy, dirty and dangerous.
They have a big plant. If anyone came with a microscope to any house or business and searched until they found something, they would undoubtedly find, too.
*****************************************
No, they do not have a big plant. They have supervisors in each department whose job it is to manage the people, the room and the equipment. Should the supervisors fail to do their job, the supervisor's boss is responsible, right up to the top.
All personell are supposed to have training. This is a HACCP plant and Sholom Rubashkin signed on the bottom line to the USDA that all was in order. If he failed to train his people properly, then it is his ultimate responsibility. THis is the risk that he took when he opened the plant. The USDA (which Rubashkin has worker safety programs in it) does not have 'innocent until proven guilty" in it. They write reports in which you admit what you did or you protest.
How many noncompliance reports did Rubashkin protest last year? less than 10 out of 250. That is a report a day. How many does a typical plant his size get? 50 a year, or 1 a week.
The work is heavy and dirty, but Rubashkin is supposed to take the 'danger' out of the workplace. Everyone else did. That, my friend, is the law.
27
Aug 31, 2008 at 01:37 PM Anonymous Says:
Anonymous Says:
As for Yoeli...your name says it all. You just hate Lubavitch, don't you? Maybe you're related in some way to the Tzaddik from the Monsey meat scandal? Get a life!
**********************************************
I think I just saw a literal Motse Shem Rah. Just because a person has a certain name, he must be bad.
Today is Rosh Chodeh Ellul. In our zeal to do the 'right' thing, we are now resorting to name calling with no apparent reason. Out of 50 levels of Tumah, what level have we sunk to???
28
Aug 31, 2008 at 02:47 PM Anonymous Says:
BS"D
Whatever the (de)merits of the continuous harassment of the Rubashkin family and Agri by the mafia-led unions and the sickos of PETA and their stooges in the Democratic party, the days when someone named "Yoeli" "hated Lubavitch" are long, long over if there ever were such days.
The original "Yoel," namely Reb Yoilish ZY"A for whom most "Yoelis" was named had no use for sinas chinam and it is ridiculous to assume that a man named in his memory is a member of a small group of extremists of an ilk that Reb Yoilish ZYA condemned.
29
Aug 31, 2008 at 05:06 PM To the Chochom, bj Says:
To BJ THE CHOCHOM,
I will not sully myself in carrying this further than this last remark.
It is advisable though, in the future, not to resort to name calling when you want to make a point. Especially with names that so aptly describe yourself.
I stand by what I wrote. You obviously still do not understand the concept of 'figure of speech' Microscopic probe, microscope, microscopic are all figures of speech in my post.
Figure of speech. Figure of speech. Figure of speech.
A Gutten Chodesh Elul.
May we stop the vitriol and start giving each other the benefit of the doubt. Ksiva Vachasima Tova to you, Mr. Chochom,to all the posters out there, to the Rubashkin family and to Klal Yisroel.
30
Aug 31, 2008 at 06:37 PM 1:37 Says:
Anonymous Says:
BS"D
Whatever the (de)merits of the continuous harassment of the Rubashkin family and Agri by the mafia-led unions and the sickos of PETA and their stooges in the Democratic party, the days when someone named "Yoeli" "hated Lubavitch" are long, long over if there ever were such days.
****************************************
YOU STILL DO NOT GET IT.
Most of the things that are happening to the Rubashkin family are the results of actions done by the Rubashkin family.
They do the hiring of employees, they do the training, they are responsible for the repairs. Not the unions. Not PETA.
We want reliable Glatt meats. We want the Rubashkin family to succeed. But we do not want irresponsible actions in the name of 'frumkeit', and blame it on the Sonei Yisroel.
31
Aug 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM bj Says:
will not sully myself in carrying this further than this last remark.
It is advisable though, in the future, not to resort to name calling when you want to make a point. Especially with names that so aptly describe yourself.
I stand by what I wrote. You obviously still do not understand the concept of 'figure of speech' Microscopic probe, microscope, microscopic are all figures of speech in my post.
Figure of speech. Figure of speech. Figure of speech.
A Gutten Chodesh Elul.
May we stop the vitriol and start giving each other the benefit of the doubt. Ksiva Vachasima Tova to you, Mr. Chochom,to all the posters out there, to the Rubashkin family and to Klal Yisroel
-------------------------------------
hey dude . practice what you preach.
32
Sep 01, 2008 at 07:13 AM Anonymous Says:
This is still the story that will not go away. Everyone wants Rubashkin to succeed, but are divided on whose fault it is.
Let us wait for the next story to be posted. Let us see what actions caused that story to happen. Then, we can see who is a fault.
My personal opinion in THIS story, is that repeated failures of the plant to correct OSHA deficiencies caused the raid on Friday.
33
Sep 01, 2008 at 01:17 PM Anonymous Says:
To Anonymous 7:13 am:
Not everyone wants Rubashkin to succeed.
Surely, so many of these posts are proof positive of that!
Besides the Unions, the Democratic party in Iowa (Rubashkin supported the Republicans), their Jewish competitors, disgruntled workers, and plain-old-fashioned jealous people, a lot of people have bought in to the media hype and are have an unfair and inaccurate picture of the entire situation.
Not everyone wants Rubashkin to succeed. Certainly, not you. You seem to be salivating, hoping that they will find something wrong and get slammed.
What gets me is this: We're already in the month of Elul. A common theme in the tefilos of the Yomim Naroim is that we ask Hashem to silence our adversaries on high:
Has Kategor...Avinu Malkeinu Stom Piyos Mastineynu Umekatrigeynu... Close the mouths of our prosecutors and accusers.
Yet, standing as we are before these awesome days, we have no problem acting like judge, jury and prosecutor of a fellow Jew.
And then we'll ask for mercy against our mikatregim up above?