Postville, IA – Agriprocessors Officials Plead Not Guilty

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    Agriprocessors officials have pleaded not guilty to thousands of charges of child labor law violations.

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    None of the defendants appeared in person on Wednesday in Allamakee County District Court, instead entering written pleas.

    The hearing was the initial appearance for six defendants: the plant’s owner, Aaron Rubashkin; former plant manager Sholom Rubashkin; the plant’s human resources manager, Elizabeth Billmeyer; and Laura Althouse and Karina Freund, who are management employees in the human resources division. Agriprocessors, Inc. also is charged in the case.

    Because the charges are misdemeanors, the defendants are allowed to waive their right to a court appearance. The next step will be setting a date for trial.


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    36 Comments
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    yomtee
    15 years ago

    i think they will win but i DONT eat it anyways so i DONT care

    Frumyid
    Frumyid
    15 years ago

    And who will apologize when B’H they are acquitted?

    anon
    anon
    15 years ago

    Frumyid Says:

    And who will apologize when B’H they are acquitted?

    09-17-2008 – 5:05 PM

    ————————————————

    will you come out in public and show your face when they are proven to be guilty by a court of law??

    Haha
    Haha
    15 years ago

    Frumyid………”acquitted” an oxymoron!

    They’ve been convicted already! Don’t believe me? read Genack’s threat and deadline of 2 Weeks! Read the Forward ! The Jewish Week! and on it goes!

    What a travesty of justice when it comes to Jews, etc. Swift & Com. never got this shady treatment.

    Meatloaf
    Meatloaf
    15 years ago

    From the Des Moines Register today:

    Minn. plant tries to lure Postville workers

    TONY LEYS • [email protected] • September 17, 2008

    Buzz up! Postville, Ia. – A Minnesota meatpacking plant is trying to hire away workers from the Agriprocessors plant here.

    Long Prairie Packing of Long Prairie, Minn., placed a large ad in Wednesday’s Postville Herald-Leader, announcing that it would pay at least $11 an hour, plus sign-on bonuses of up to $3,000 for workers. The company has scheduled a jobs fair in downtown Postville Saturday and Sunday.

    The ad was the talk of the town, which has been rocked by allegations of worker mistreatment at the Agriprocessors plant.

    The plant was the site of a massive immigration raid in May, and it has been struggling to replace the hundreds of illegal-immigrant workers who were arrested or fled. Its owner and four managers face state charges of illegally using child labor at the plant, which they deny.

    An executive for Long Prairie’s parent company acknowledged that it was trying to recruit unhappy Agriprocessors’ workers. Bill LaMarr, industrial-relations manager for American Foods Group, said it was unusual for one plant to do that to another.

    “We don’t like to go into somebody else’s house and take their stuff,” he said. But he added that his company had heard of widespread displeasure with conditions and pay at Agriprocessors, and it hopes to hire about 100 workers for the plant in Minnesota and another facility in Nebraska.

    The Minnesota plant is a union shop, though the Nebraska one is not. LaMarr said they have similar pay and benefits.

    The Rev. Paul Ouderkirk, a Postville priest and Agriprocessors critic, said he is encouraging unhappy workers to attend the jobs fair. “We’re going to notify everybody about this – I mean everybody,” he said. “I hope they pack the place to the roof.”

    Marcus Valdez, who worked several weeks at Agriprocessors, said he understood why the other company decided to recruit in the Postville company’s back yard. “They probably knew there’s a lot of people here who aren’t working there anymore who have some experience,” he said.

    Valdez said he recently quit because his paychecks were being shorted, which has been a common complaint among new Agriprocessors workers. He said he probably would check out the other company’s offerings.

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    It is time for the OU to stop stalling and take action against agri and cancel their supervision. Genack and his cohorts are setting a bad example – they are just as bad as the fake concert ban rabbis and need to be banned themselves. All they want is a more money and they are not looking out for your best interest. So wake up people and smell the fresh pig meat!

    smart
    smart
    15 years ago

    Please post comments responsibly as all comments are moderated.

    anonymous Says:

    It is time for the OU to stop stalling and take action against agri and cancel their supervision. Genack and his cohorts are setting a bad example – they are just as bad as the fake concert ban rabbis and need to be banned themselves. All they want is a more money and they are not looking out for your best interest. So wake up people and smell the fresh pig meat!

    09-17-2008 – 5:16 PM

    you sound like such a anti semite!!!!!!!!!,here plant owners are pleading not guilty ,& their are still no proof to any charges ,but no ,you can’t wait untill the ou takes action ,besides the “sinas chinam ” you have ,you don’t even relize how it will hurt you and all jewish people all over america …their are alot of yidden out their (not so frum )that eat kosher meat just because it is avalible to them ,yeah just because of the rubashkins ….and their is alot of kosher products that gets shiped all over the WORLD and is avalible to yidden to eat just because of the rubashkins ,(NOT ONLY MEAT )so before you write a stupit comment next time that might hurt yourself and klal yisroel.THINK JUST THINK

    yossele
    yossele
    15 years ago

    What does misdemeanor mean?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    “Haha Says:

    They’ve been convicted already! Don’t believe me? read Genack’s threat and deadline of 2 Weeks! Read the Forward ! The Jewish Week! and on it goes!

    09-17-2008 – 5:12 PM”

    read your own words… you are believing people who have an agenda that is other than the truth.

    Genack admitted that he is one with the unions. the forward and the Jewish Week are both bias papers, who jump to conclusions without verifying the facts.

    the Rubashkin’s are not guilty, and so long that there is no evidence beyond reasonable doubt, THEY ARE NOT GUILTY.

    Go shake hands with the conservative, reform and Goyim to suck up to them and step on your own brothers’ blood… SHAME!!! what will your face look like when they are acquitted??

    abi gezunt
    abi gezunt
    15 years ago

    they will b acquitted since they r good pepole .u name me another resturant in bp that is giving free food for the poor ? why is nobody talking about that ?maby u guys didnet know but mr. &mrs. rubashkin r runing a shop like that on 13ave. its called crown so next time any of u balai loshen hora r hungry just go in there and they will treat u like a child.

    formely frum
    formely frum
    15 years ago

    to smart and others,

    true what you say innocent until proven guilty. However to think they are guilty is not that crazy since there seems to be overwhelming evidence and the past history of the Rubaskins.

    however, i do have a question for you, I am using the word IF If found guilty of these charges and other charges like shorting the workers from their wages, no compiling with safety laws and because of that some workers lost their limb and or finger and other stuff.

    If that happens would you still eat rubashkins? do you think the Ou should then take away their hechsher? would you join a boycott of his products? Do you think the yiddish community should do something so the kosher product they eat are produces ethically?

    I ask you and others, since your whole argument is based that he is innocent but what if can you tell me and others what actions you will take?

    formely frum
    formely frum
    15 years ago

    yossele Says:

    comments – arrow What does misdemeanor mean?

    that is the lowest type of crime. for example jay walking, petty crimes are misdemeanor. And even companies that will do criminal background check many will not even search to see if you have misdemeanor.

    The other type of crime is a felony and that is much more serious and the penalties are more harsh, Robbing with a gun, selling a large amount of drugs etc.

    It effects your record or life in different ways misdemeanor probably no effect, convicted with felony can preclude you from certain jobs and in some states cannot vote

    or simply, misdemeanor minor crime (but 9000 adds up) felony major crime.

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    15 years ago

    yossele asked, “What is a misdemeanor?”

    A misdemeanor is a crime which the maximum penalty, if convicted, is less than 1 year in prison.

    A felony is a crime in which the minimum penalty, if convicted, is more than 1 year.

    Committing multiple misdemeanors does not equal a felony.

    in hashem we trust
    in hashem we trust
    15 years ago

    what are you do happy that someone come

    to postville and try to stool they employees ?

    OMG
    OMG
    15 years ago

    i had a friend who lived in postville

    isnt it a little hicktown

    with like 30 frum families

    midwest chef
    midwest chef
    15 years ago

    you sound like such a anti semite!!!!!!!!!,here plant owners are pleading not guilty ,& their are still no proof to any charges ,but no ,you can’t wait untill the ou takes action ,besides the “sinas chinam ” you have ,you don’t even relize how it will hurt you and all jewish people all over america …their are alot of yidden out their (not so frum )that eat kosher meat just because it is avalible to them ,yeah just because of the rubashkins ….and their is alot of kosher products that gets shiped all over the WORLD and is avalible to yidden to eat just because of the rubashkins ,(NOT ONLY MEAT )so before you write a stupit comment next time that might hurt yourself and klal yisroel.THINK JUST THINK

    09-17-2008 – 5:33 PM

    ==============================================

    WE DO NOT WANT RUBASHKIN MEAT ANYMORE. WE WANT THE REAL GLAT KOSHER MEAT!

    ESTEE LIEBERMAN
    ESTEE LIEBERMAN
    15 years ago

    midwest chef…you are the epitomy of a MORON

    Meatloaf
    Meatloaf
    15 years ago

    yossele asked, “What is a misdemeanor?”

    In this particular case each count in Iowa is punishable with up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine (which I believe is around $550). The counts are to be served consecutively and not simultaneously by each defendent. Therefore, each person charged I believe faces a maximum of: 9,311 x 30 days/365 days in a year = 765 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 Million, or some combination thereof.

    Therefore while the punishment is a misdemeanor, the outcome, under almost any circumstances, is not.

    Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. More charges from other agencies are likely to follow.

    yitzchok
    yitzchok
    15 years ago

    Reading some of the comments here is heartbreaking, to see that some of you write without shame and in fact with glee that a fellow jew is having hardship is beyond, while you are anonymous in this forum in 2 weeks when you stand in front of the mighty creator he knows exactly who you are and what you wrote and what you think in your head and feel in your heart.judging by a lot of what is being said here I think its mostly jelousy and now you are happy to see them fall. Do you know that when you write something bad about agri or it’s owners the unions pick it up and then turn to each other and say “look at what their own think of them”? Hashem yerachem and now that the OU has switched sides to stand with the unions can you imagine the feeling of joy these anti semites and yes they are anti semites that are using the OU because at this point and time it suits their immediate agenda? How many of you have benefitted from the Rubaskin’s? How many of you have bought their meat at cut rate prices at the kolel store I don’t see alle or international selling roasts at $4.99 a lb. Do you? How many of you have gone into rubashkin on friday because Mr. Rubashkin gives 10% off on Friday? Who else does that? Shame of all of us for stooping to the level that we are happy to see another jew fail. Think of your feelings for the Rubashkin family when you are asking Hashem”Mi bamayin umi ba-aish mi b’chanikah umi baskila”

    formely frum
    formely frum
    15 years ago

    To yitzchok,

    what would you do if all the allegations are proofed to be true what would you do?

    And if every time a yid is charged with a crime you scream antisemitism, it becomes meaningless. When the time comes that it really antisemitism nobody will listen.

    question, LP was also because of antisemitism and all the frum yiddim who where convicted of crimes are also becuase antisemitism? Is there a case in recent history, that a yid was accused or convicted that was not because of antisemitism. Do you think all of them are innocent?

    just asking

    Milhouse
    Milhouse
    15 years ago

    It doesn’t matter whether they’re convicted or acquitted. If you read Genack’s interview he admits that this has nothing to do with kashrus, and that his only reason for threatening to pull the hechsher is that he’s worried about the reputation of kashrus in the goyishe community. In plain English, what it means is he’s afraid that if the OU stays with Rubashkin, some big companies might go to another hechsher. That’s all.

    Meanwhile the OU continues to give a hechsher at Le Marais.

    So yes, I will continue to eat Rubashkin meat whether they’re acquitted or convicted, and whether they innocent or guilty; so long as the meat remains kosher I don’t give a damn what else goes on there.

    yitzchok
    yitzchok
    15 years ago

    To Formerly: my comments were directed to those with the holier then thou finger waggers on this commentary. I don’t think there is anybody here that is not guilty of something, how about you? Did you reposrt every penny you earnd on you tax return? And yes “Eisov soneh l’yaakov” Rubashkin is being persecuted and prosecuted because he is a jew that got too big too fast, and your a fool to think otherwise. They hate us period! And now they have self haters like you to side with them, shame on you. In the end you are the dirty jew to them as Rubashkin, don’t be foold.

    Innocent until proven Guilty
    Innocent until proven Guilty
    15 years ago

    What part of that dont you understand?

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    McCain - Pailin in 08!!
    McCain - Pailin in 08!!
    15 years ago

    For you morons who said you dont care bec you dont eat rubashkins anyway I would like to remind you the rule of supply & demand. This means if you cut off supply (ie, no more rubashkins) while the demand stays the same, the price will GO UP no matter whose meat you eat. Also, you need to realize that there are other groups that shecht there which means that Aarons, Shor HaBor, Supreme, etc., are not the only names coming out of there.

    formely frum
    formely frum
    15 years ago

    to Milhouse,

    it is nice to see that you have no compassion for your fellow man. I hope you are never in a position that others can help but do not simply because they do not care.

    I figured the whole innocent until proven guilty was a smoke scream for many people real believes that they simply do not care how much he abused workers how many lost limbs as long as its kosher I am happy.

    funny and you wonder when Jews get abused why no one helps i know why they learn from people like you.

    BMG coffee Room
    BMG coffee Room
    15 years ago

    Innocent until proven Guilty Says:

    What part of that dont you understand?

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    Innocent until proven guilty.

    09-17-2008 – 10:20 PM

    ===============================================

    Inocent untill proven guilty only applies to a person or company which has nemunus or cheskas kashrus.. Rubashkin has proven to us time after time that they can not be trust worthy.

    Sell your plant for glatt koshers sake ,because frankly everyone is sick and tired of eating *Rubaskin kosher* and not *Real glatt kosher.*

    ESTEE LIEBERMAN
    ESTEE LIEBERMAN
    15 years ago

    bmg, why don’t you learn the facts before you open your mouth. it is so pathetic how so many jump on the media bandwagon. I suppose it is because innately people love to hate…

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    ESTEE LIEBERMAN Says:

    bmg, why don’t you learn the facts before you open your mouth. it is so pathetic how so many jump on the media bandwagon. I suppose it is because innately people love to hate…

    09-18-2008 – 6:51 AM

    *************************************

    Estee –

    We do not love to hate. I have seen that printed by people that support Rubashkin so many times that they are blinded by their ‘love’.

    We want Rubashkin so play by the same rules that everyone else listens to.

    That means that if he shows the world that he does not make a second cut after the initial shechita, them he will not make the cut when the cameras go away.

    That means that he will not make a chullul Hashem on the front pages of the NY TIMES or any other newapaper.

    That means that he will fix his machinery so that there will be no repeated safety violations on the same bandsaw for 5 months (where workers can lose fingers).

    I hope you understand what we are saying. You already know what has to be done. Now tell Rubashkin.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    How long will it take for some of you to see that Rubashkin’s PR firm has people online typing away on these blogs?

    an out of town mother
    an out of town mother
    15 years ago

    check with any competent kosher butcher/shochet and you will know there is no real “Glatt” kosher in the USA. Not even with Satmar / Meal Mart.

    smart
    smart
    15 years ago

    to smart and others,

    true what you say innocent until proven guilty. However to think they are guilty is not that crazy since there seems to be overwhelming evidence and the past history of the Rubaskins.

    however, i do have a question for you, I am using the word IF If found guilty of these charges and other charges like shorting the workers from their wages, no compiling with safety laws and because of that some workers lost their limb and or finger and other stuff.

    If that happens would you still eat rubashkins? do you think the Ou should then take away their hechsher? would you join a boycott of his products? Do you think the yiddish community should do something so the kosher product they eat are produces ethically?

    i like a frankfuter with lots of mustard and even more sourkraut. i also want my frank produced at the highest standard of kashrus and by a company whose CEO and upper managment pay their taxes on time ,do not take frivolous deductions ,and extra nice to their wives & kids and help eldery men & women cross the streets .

    NOW THATS WHAT I CALL A REAL KOSHER FRANK !!!!

    And come to think of it ,i might feel the same way about bagels ,challas and -who knows mabey all grocery items that are consumed in my household ,lets put it this way ,do you want to buy pizza from someone who inches their way into an intersection when the light is red and takes off before the light really turns green ? chances are this same person may not visit their eldery mother on a regular basis & may not even return library books on time -or perhaps not return them at all ! i guess you get were i’m heading ,

    Certainly all business especially kosher one should conduct them self along high standards with in the parameters of the law & halach ! that also doesnt mean that in a company that employes hundreds of people (many of them heimisha frum yidden) there are none that are dissatisfied with the type of work they do or are equally unhappy with their level of pay !

    to sum it up ,i really dont belive that there is anything agri could do that will ameliorate the approoach of the hecsher tzdek people ,peta or local meatpackers union in iowa or you bloggers that just plain & simple hate the rubashkins for no reason !!!!!!!!!

    second cut
    second cut
    15 years ago

    Rubashkin never told anyone that they will discontinue the second cut, as it is permissable according to halacha and considered humane by the usda, so stop with this baloney about the second cut.

    Meatloaf
    Meatloaf
    15 years ago

    “yitzchok Says:

    … How many of you have benefitted from the Rubaskin’s? How many of you have bought their meat at cut rate prices at the kolel store…”

    Shame on you to think that kashrus is only about the price of a stickel of fliesch and that is the measure of ones yashrus!!!

    When you stand before HaShem this year say a special al-chait for such narrow mindedness.

    smart
    smart
    15 years ago

    MEAT LOAF ,I DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHATS GOING TO BE WHEN YOU & ALL YOUR OTHER JEW HATER FRIENDS STAND BEFORE HASHEM THIS YEAR AND SAY AL-CHAIT FOR “SINAS CHINAM “

    formely
    formely
    15 years ago

    smart Says

    we are talking about serious violation do a search and find that rubashkin is rated as one the the worst plant for safety violation many of them repeat. And the same violation over and over fined 600,000.

    Do be stupid nobody is perfect but when a product is produced don’t you thing the workers should be able to produce it without losing fingers. Simply put Rubashkin’s is in the bottom of the barrel when it comes to safety violation and pollution control. Just search the web and see for yourselves or should I post the reports.

    Not sure but it is possibly he treated the yiddin differently

    Again you did not answer the question, I ask if the worst of rubashkin is true, would you still eat his meat. saying it is not true is not answering the question. A simple no or yes?

    Moish
    Moish
    15 years ago

    Shame on the OU. In a time like this when Shchitah is in crises and cost of kosher meat is rising they play this game for personal gains…

    These lovely owners of Agri have been there for the kosher community for years…Giving us a break on pricing….take a look where prices have gone to now.

    I have dumped the CRC a long time ago, as many others and myself believed they only have their bottom line in mind $$$$, but I always felt that Ahavas Yisroel is always the #1 thing modern orthodox Jews have in mind….and boy oh boy have I been surprised… SHAME ON THE OU