Courtney Blanchard, TH staff writer
The former Agriprocessors CEO will get another chance to make his case for release from the Dubuque County Jail.
Sholom Rubashkin, who was in charge of the kosher slaughterhouse in Postville known for a large immigration raid, was granted a bail hearing Friday, according to court documents. On Jan. 22, U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade will accept written evidence from federal prosecutors and the defense.
Rubashkin was previously denied release while awaiting trial because prosecutors argued he was a flight risk. They cited the discovery of a bag that included $20,000 cash and travel documents for family members.
But the prosecution’s inclusion of Israel’s Law of Return, which grants de facto Jewish citizenship, was perhaps the most controversial argument used to deny bail. A group of high-profile rabbis gathered at the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center last week to protest the issue.
The order for another bail hearing came a day after Rubashkin was named in a 99-count federal indictment charging money laundering and violating an order from the U.S. secretary of agriculture. Rubashkin is currently being held in the Dubuque County Jail on multiple federal charges, including bank fraud.
Since public opinion does count somewhat , and natuarlly with the approval of the Rubashkin’s and their lawyers, It would help if people had information as to who they should send letters and e-mails to in support . A campaign that would generate hundreds or thousands of letters has to have some effect. A campaign listed on COL detailing who should be written and what should be written would paint a true picture to the authorities that they are not dealing with a criminal , but rather with someone that is a righteous person that helped so many others and… Read more »
There can be millions of counts against SMR. Bottom line they are all accusations. The question is can the be proven in a court with out a reasonable doubt. I personally believe that a lot of these accusations are heresay.
we are all davening for u sholom mordchia. we cant wait to welcome u home.
everyone can plz say tehilim- sholom mordchia halevi ben rivka
The bail as important as it is – is just a temperary release from jail that will be of great help for him and his family for now but this is not the in the least the real battle he is facing in court when his trile is set to begin In a 99 count federal indictment he is facing an uphill battle that I’m not sure he will be able to beat (at least not all 99 counts i think that he and the people who are trying really hard to help him need to take in consideration the… Read more »