Prosecutors to Drop Immigration Charges Against Rubashkin

By Trish Mehaffey

Sholom Rubashkin walks to the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D., Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. Rubashkin has been accused of hiring illegal immigrants, violating child labor laws and abusing workers at one of the nation's largest kosher slaughterhouses. (AP Photo/Lara Neel, Argus Leader)

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM CST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 2:12 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - The government filed a motion on Thursday to dismiss the 72 immigration charges levied against Agriprocessors and former manager Sholom Rubashkin.

The government asks for the dismissal based on the conviction in the fraud trial. The jury’s verdicts in the fraud trial were somewhat based, on the Rubashkin knowingly making false statements to the bank about harboring illegal workers at Agriprocessors, the motion contends.

The motion also cites a conviction on the 72 counts would be “eclipsed” by the sentencing guidelines for the fraud counts.

The motion to dismiss will have to ruled on by a judge before the charges can officially be dropped.

Rubashkin, 50, already faces hundreds of years in prison on the 86 counts of bank, wire and mail fraud, money laundering and non-payment of livestock.

The government also wants the charges against Agriprocessors dismissed because the company has gone through bankruptcy, which means no forfeiture for criminal restitution and Agriprocessors as a company ceases to exist.

The charges stems from the May 2008 immigration raid at the Postville kosher meatpacking plant.

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: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

More Good Stuff

What's On KCRG