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Sioux Falls, SD - Aaron Rubashkin, Agriprocessors' Founder, Testifies in Son's Trial |
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Aaron Rubashkin, in Sioux Falls With Son SholomPhoto: COLlive.com
Abraham Aaron Rubashkin, who opened the Postville slaughterhouse in 1987 to process kosher meat, told jurors that he mortgaged his home, two buildings that he owned and his store in Brooklyn, N.Y after the May 2008 raid.
The effort ultimately failed, as the plant run by his two sons slipped into bankruptcy the following November. Rubashkin spoke during his son’s 91-count financial fraud trial in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sholom Rubashkin, Aaron's son, is charged with mail, wire and bank fraud, money laundering and failing to pay livestock providers on time. Sholom Rubashkin has pleaded not guilty.
Defense lawyers called the elder Rubashkin, who goes by “Aaron,” to contest the charges.
Aaron Rubashkin said he managed to gather between $4 million and $5 million from his personal assets after the raid. “We tried to get all the help we could,” he said.
He said he was unaware of any illegal immigrants working at the plant, and had trusted the plant’s human resources manager, Elizabeth Billmeyer before the raid that snagged 389 illegal workers.
“I used to trust her. She is a very strong woman,” Aaron Rubashkin said. “I cannot understand how this happened.”
Aaron Rubashkin stirred whispers from supporters in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom. The Rubashkin family patriarch was sworn in, and smiled and waved at jurors as he stepped to the witness stand.
Attorneys also showed Aaron Rubashkin photos, outside the jury’s presence, of the Rubashkins with prominent politicians. Included in the images were U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, and former U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle.
U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade has not allowed the photos into the trial for several reasons, including prosecutors objections that the photos lacked a legal foundation to be included in trial.
Aaron Rubashkin will continue to testify this afternoon.
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Read Comments (29) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 03, 2009 at 04:09 PM Anonymous Says:
Azoy...someone who is alleged to be a crook trying to redeem himeself and improve his image by showing photos taken with "chashuve politicians"...whats wrong with this picture. I continue to wonder about the defense strategy in this case.
2
Nov 03, 2009 at 04:20 PM Anonymous Says:
Basicley the govermant drowend the rubashkin family the family owens nothing now not even their homes its very sad
"Samcheinu kyimos inisonu" this family sufferd enough hashem should help them and they should be able to continue giving tzedoka and helpibg pepole like up untill now
3
Nov 03, 2009 at 04:27 PM very inteligent Says:
“ Azoy...someone who is alleged to be a crook trying to redeem himeself and improve his image by showing photos taken with "chashuve politicians"...whats wrong with this picture. I continue to wonder about the defense strategy in this case. ”
Evryone posting about this trial seems to know so much about defence u guyes should all become lawers so you could acctualy implimant your genues oppinions
4
Nov 03, 2009 at 04:32 PM moshe p. utz Says:
i wish reb aron lots of hatzlocha, those prosecutors should learn to go after the real ganovim in america. not the ones giving out jobs and doing lots of charity.
5
Nov 03, 2009 at 05:13 PM Rubashkin Fan Says:
“ Azoy...someone who is alleged to be a crook trying to redeem himeself and improve his image by showing photos taken with "chashuve politicians"...whats wrong with this picture. I continue to wonder about the defense strategy in this case. ”
What are you SAYING??? It's HIS OWN FATHER in the picture CANT YOU READ????
6
Nov 03, 2009 at 04:44 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Azoy...someone who is alleged to be a crook trying to redeem himeself and improve his image by showing photos taken with "chashuve politicians"...whats wrong with this picture. I continue to wonder about the defense strategy in this case. ”
I don't get it either, why would a judge allow the pictures into evidence? for what purpose? to prove what?
7
Nov 03, 2009 at 05:17 PM Oy so sad Says:
When an elderly father needs to defend his son in jail. Hashem should free the Rubashkins NOW
8
Nov 03, 2009 at 05:32 PM Yankee Says:
HASHEM should grand hatzlocha to Rubashkin family. G-D BLESS THEM
9
Nov 03, 2009 at 06:46 PM MosheG Says:
“ I don't get it either, why would a judge allow the pictures into evidence? for what purpose? to prove what? ”
Please let everyone know which pictures you're talking about.
As of now the Judge is NOT ALLOWING pictures "into evidence".
10
Nov 03, 2009 at 06:12 PM Anonymous Says:
i implore every one to say 1 kapital theilim each day for sholom
a yid is beais tzorah and he needs all the help that we can give , lets do what we yidden know best , daven to hashem to help a fellow yid who is in such grave danger
the rest we will leave inhasems hand , as the posuk says
kol man d'uvid rachmuna l'dav uvid
11
Nov 03, 2009 at 06:01 PM AuthenticSatmar Says:
The pictures are relevant. The prosecution is attempting to paint the Rubashkins as vindictive secretive intentionally crooked people. By showing them with politicians the defense wants to show the jury that they were active community members and involved in civic life.
The defense strategy relies on that he was not involved in the nitty gritty and relied on others.
12
Nov 03, 2009 at 07:16 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Please let everyone know which pictures you're talking about.
As of now the Judge is NOT ALLOWING pictures "into evidence". ”
According to the article, they are pictures of Aaron Rubashkin with prominent politicians. I can't imageine how they would be relevant. I also don't see how the pictures could help, and it even could backfire. What jury thinks "oh, the defendant's family hangs around with politicians, therefore the defendant must be innocent."
13
Nov 03, 2009 at 07:13 PM Shame on you #1 Says:
How can you call R' Aaron Rubashkin a "crook"? Do you know him? What terrible loshon hora! This Yid, R' Aaron, and his wife, are tzadikim of the highest order. Ask anyone that knows them and from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of Yidden that were helped by them.
Speak with "derech eretz" when you speak of a person of such stature.
May Hashem Yisboroch say "Dai" to their tzoros, and let them go back to doing their wonderful mitsvos and "ma'asim toivim" soon.
14
Nov 03, 2009 at 07:45 PM Anonymous Says:
“ How can you call R' Aaron Rubashkin a "crook"? Do you know him? What terrible loshon hora! This Yid, R' Aaron, and his wife, are tzadikim of the highest order. Ask anyone that knows them and from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of Yidden that were helped by them.
Speak with "derech eretz" when you speak of a person of such stature.
May Hashem Yisboroch say "Dai" to their tzoros, and let them go back to doing their wonderful mitsvos and "ma'asim toivim" soon. ”
He didn't call him a crook. He said "alleged to be a crook." He was questioning the defense strategy, not the defendant. People really need to slow down and read carefully before commenting.
15
Nov 03, 2009 at 07:53 PM Anonymous Says:
#10 Which Kapital Tehillim did you say for Madoff?
16
Nov 03, 2009 at 08:47 PM Anonymous Says:
“ How can you call R' Aaron Rubashkin a "crook"? Do you know him? What terrible loshon hora! This Yid, R' Aaron, and his wife, are tzadikim of the highest order. Ask anyone that knows them and from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of Yidden that were helped by them.
Speak with "derech eretz" when you speak of a person of such stature.
May Hashem Yisboroch say "Dai" to their tzoros, and let them go back to doing their wonderful mitsvos and "ma'asim toivim" soon. ”
Aside from being an apologist from SMR, you cannot read. Poster no. 1 said "ALLEGED to be a crook". He gave him the benefit of the doubt and was simply noting the irony of a alleged felon trying to redeem himself with pictures taken with politicians who are held by most Americans in even lower esteem than ALLEGED crooks....politicians are presumed to be crooks.
17
Nov 03, 2009 at 08:44 PM Jack Says:
Say what ever you want about the Rubashkins, the bottom line is just wait till Pesach, and you will see how much poultry these people have donated to Tzedakah. Remember, they are accused of not paying vender's on time, only after he US government made them into a scape goat.
18
Nov 03, 2009 at 08:54 PM joe shmoe Says:
they should bring all the people living in poverty that got food from this heavenly angel to testify they'll come in throngs, I want to see which of the jurors will have dry eyes! which jury will be able to get himself to say guilty. actions prove much more than words. with this entire episode, the true losers are gonna be us yiddin we lost an real baal tzedakah individual AND family. (the whole rubashkin family who tirelessly fought all these years so that we have kosher chicken and meat. they fought off the mafia which had an iron grip on the meat markets.
19
Nov 03, 2009 at 08:18 PM Anonymous Says:
“ #10 Which Kapital Tehillim did you say for Madoff? ”
shame on you how can you eveen compare the two case
20
Nov 03, 2009 at 09:13 PM Anonymous Says:
“ they should bring all the people living in poverty that got food from this heavenly angel to testify they'll come in throngs, I want to see which of the jurors will have dry eyes! which jury will be able to get himself to say guilty. actions prove much more than words. with this entire episode, the true losers are gonna be us yiddin we lost an real baal tzedakah individual AND family. (the whole rubashkin family who tirelessly fought all these years so that we have kosher chicken and meat. they fought off the mafia which had an iron grip on the meat markets. ”
Is your comment meant to be sarcastic or do you really believe these folks in South Dakota will have "tears in their eyes" when they learn that this indicted "heavenly angel" handed out free chickens to poor jews.
21
Nov 03, 2009 at 09:18 PM Anonymous Says:
“ they should bring all the people living in poverty that got food from this heavenly angel to testify they'll come in throngs, I want to see which of the jurors will have dry eyes! which jury will be able to get himself to say guilty. actions prove much more than words. with this entire episode, the true losers are gonna be us yiddin we lost an real baal tzedakah individual AND family. (the whole rubashkin family who tirelessly fought all these years so that we have kosher chicken and meat. they fought off the mafia which had an iron grip on the meat markets. ”
While a defendant's good deeds are admissible at the sentencing stage if this reaches that point, they are not usually not legally relevant or admissble at the guilt stage. The issue before the jury is not whether Mr. Rubashkin is a generally good guy, it's whether or not he committed the acts alleged in the indictment.
By the way: I had no idea the mafia was involved in the kosher meat market.
22
Nov 03, 2009 at 09:22 PM Benny Says:
peta and partner, the us govt have not only succeeded in destroying a family business but also the destruction of Postville Iowa, a town as American apple pie as you can get
23
Nov 03, 2009 at 09:47 PM OMG Says:
“ they should bring all the people living in poverty that got food from this heavenly angel to testify they'll come in throngs, I want to see which of the jurors will have dry eyes! which jury will be able to get himself to say guilty. actions prove much more than words. with this entire episode, the true losers are gonna be us yiddin we lost an real baal tzedakah individual AND family. (the whole rubashkin family who tirelessly fought all these years so that we have kosher chicken and meat. they fought off the mafia which had an iron grip on the meat markets. ”
Your idea is good for speculation in the Mikva, in reality you cannot bring in someone to testify to the facts of the case if the only knowledge they have, is that they got a free chicken, it is irrelevant to the case in chief, the only reason the judge might allow some people to testify to show that SR was respected by many in the community, however, the prosecution will have the ability to come back with their witnesses in rebuttal, and from what I understand that the prosecution has lined up a few different people who actually lost their businesses and were left penniless as a direct consequence to SR business practices. So what do you think the good people in South Dakota will do, ignore the people who got a free chicken, or the ones he put out of business.
24
Nov 03, 2009 at 11:23 PM Anonymous Says:
“ What are you SAYING??? It's HIS OWN FATHER in the picture CANT YOU READ???? ”
no he cant. he is blinded by his hatred.
25
Nov 04, 2009 at 09:10 AM Longwave Says:
“ peta and partner, the us govt have not only succeeded in destroying a family business but also the destruction of Postville Iowa, a town as American apple pie as you can get ”
The only people responsible on what went on in that plant were the Rubashkin Family. No one put a gun to their heads.
If you have pity, then oity the people that lost their businesses and jobs bacause of them.
26
Nov 04, 2009 at 12:58 PM Anonymous Says:
Please don't try to make a cholent out of all the issues. My heart breaks for R' Avrohom Aaron Rubashkin (and his wife). My mother shopped at their original butcher store which they opened upon arriving in America. They are people of the highest integrity and big-heartedness. They survived the Holocaust, then practiced Yiddishkeit to its full extent under Stalin. R' Avrohom and R. Rivkah,are elderly and should be living b'seivah tovah. They do not deserve this nightmare, which hopefully will be over soon. Please daven for Hashem's brachos for this family.
27
Nov 04, 2009 at 08:31 PM Anonymous Says:
To #26 (Anonymous) You are absolutely right! Every yid should say some Tehilim for them. They are noted to be people of great chesed. A Jew has an obligation to pray for any fellow yid; the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim! To read some of these comments that are full of sinat chinam and shtuyot, is unforgiveable. We pray that HaShem will bless R' Rubashkin to be released to his family and will be vindicated! Amen.
28
Nov 05, 2009 at 10:38 AM Everybody has an opinion Says:
“ How can you call R' Aaron Rubashkin a "crook"? Do you know him? What terrible loshon hora! This Yid, R' Aaron, and his wife, are tzadikim of the highest order. Ask anyone that knows them and from the hundreds (maybe thousands) of Yidden that were helped by them.
Speak with "derech eretz" when you speak of a person of such stature.
May Hashem Yisboroch say "Dai" to their tzoros, and let them go back to doing their wonderful mitsvos and "ma'asim toivim" soon. ”
Do YOU know him? Do YOU know whose money he used for all his tzdaka and maisim toivim?
It is sickening to hear you all defend this man based on his alleged tzdaka, his politician friends, his old father coming to testify, and the "he didn't understand" excuse.
You want to defend him? Tell me why he's innocent, with almost 100 charges against him. Don't tell me the money he made went to poor people. It's not a vindication, and it makes him sound guilty.
You want us all to say tehillim for him because he suffers in jail? I'll do it as soon as you start saying thillim for everyone else suffering in jail.
Don't get me wrong: I'm EXACTLY like you - I know everything I know about this case from reading it here.
I think he should go free because he is innocent, if he is.
But NOT because he is Jewish, as you crybabies claim.
NOT because he gave tzdaka, because that doesn't make him innocent.
NOT because you think he is a Gadol Hador.
NOT because he has tzoros and needs to get back to mitsvos and maasim tovim
I don't have to speak with "Derech Eretz" with a person only YOU think is of "such stature"
Just give a real reason explaining his innocence, or shut up!
IDIOT!
29
Nov 05, 2009 at 10:03 PM Everybody has an opinion Says:
“ Please don't try to make a cholent out of all the issues. My heart breaks for R' Avrohom Aaron Rubashkin (and his wife). My mother shopped at their original butcher store which they opened upon arriving in America. They are people of the highest integrity and big-heartedness. They survived the Holocaust, then practiced Yiddishkeit to its full extent under Stalin. R' Avrohom and R. Rivkah,are elderly and should be living b'seivah tovah. They do not deserve this nightmare, which hopefully will be over soon. Please daven for Hashem's brachos for this family. ”
Why? you don't believe any of the charges are true?
Your arguments and claims all go directly to the heart of the charges, they are very relevant to what he is accused of.
Or should he go free because him family gave your mother a discount on a piece of chicken fifty years ago?
Who cares what he gave out if it wasn't his money?
And if they are such tzadikim, why are they making such a chilul Hashem now?
Sit down and shut up.