Slaughterhouse Manager Trial Focuses on Loan

Former Agriprocessors chief executive officer Sholom Rubashkin leaves the Dubuque County Jail after being released on bail, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. in Dubuque, Iowa. (AP Photo/The Telegraph Herald, Kori Newby)

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM CDT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A bank vice president has testified in the federal trial of former kosher slaughterhouse manager Sholom Rubashkin that he didn't personally keep tabs on a loan to the company.

First Bank vice president Gary Pratte testified Tuesday that the $35 million loan to the Agriprocessors, Inc., plant was closely monitored by bank employees, but not by himself. This was the case even after a huge immigration raid at the Postville plant.

Rubashkin faces 91 financial charges, including bank fraud.

Defense attorney Guy Cook says the bank's "blind indifference" to the record keeping at Agriprocessors is evidence the bank was willing to overlook the plant's problems so it could continue to collect on its loan.

Next Article Search for Missing Man in Cedar River Will Resume Monday

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.