After an Iowa jury found the founder of Midamar Corp. guilty of a scheme to falsify documents behind certain Halal beef shipments several years ago, others involved “plead out.” But Midamar and Jalel Aossey, who had to step down as head of the closely-held family corporation, are asking the U.S.
Continue Reading A question of the Secretary of Agriculture’s jurisdiction
Islamic Services of America (ISA)
Sentencing in Food Safety Cases Are Not Without Complications
After every successful prosecution comes the sentencing. But in several high profile criminal cases involving food safety, sentencing is turning out to be pretty complicated. Take the case of 74-year-old William B. Aossey Jr. He’s the Iowan who built Midamar Corp. and Islamic Services of America (ISA) into a successful…
Continue Reading Sentencing in Food Safety Cases Are Not Without Complications
Courts Will Continue to Be Food Safety Enforcement’s Big Stick in 2016
Criminal courts have played a prominent role in food safety during both 2014 and 2015, and that will continue in 2016. We know that much for certain just by the amount of work the courts are carrying over into the New Year. We also know know the continuation of the…
Continue Reading Courts Will Continue to Be Food Safety Enforcement’s Big Stick in 2016
Midamar, Islamic Services Hit With $600,000 Forfeiture in Halal Case
A preliminary order of forfeiture has been entered in the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa requiring defendants Midamar Corporation and Islamic Services of America to pay a judgment of $600,000 to the federal government. Signed by Chief Judge Linda R. Reade, the order was entered after the business entities…
Continue Reading Midamar, Islamic Services Hit With $600,000 Forfeiture in Halal Case
Iowa Federal Judge Orders Halal Food Exporter Detained Until Sentencing
His attorneys are trying to get him a new trial, but after being convicted by a jury July 13 on 15 federal felony counts, William B. Aossey Jr. was locked up. A new detention order means that he’ll remain locked up until sentencing. Aossey was found to be too much…
Continue Reading Iowa Federal Judge Orders Halal Food Exporter Detained Until Sentencing
Jury Finds Aossey Guilty of 15 Counts in Exporting Scheme
The founder of a Halal foods exporting business in north-central Iowa was found guilty Monday of 15 of 19 federal felonies with which he was charged in a scheme to export beef to Malaysia and Indonesia without meeting the slaughter standards of those Muslim countries. The federal jury in Cedar…
Continue Reading Jury Finds Aossey Guilty of 15 Counts in Exporting Scheme
Jury Trial Underway in Iowa Over Alleged Halal Beef Export Scheme
The trial of William Aossey Jr., 73, began Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa with opening statements and the first witness taking the stand. After the jury was selected, prosecution and defense attorneys offered competing theories about who was in charge at Midamar Corporation during the 2007-10 period…
Continue Reading Jury Trial Underway in Iowa Over Alleged Halal Beef Export Scheme
Confusion Over Lawyers Marks Start of First Halal Trial in Iowa
As the federal trial gets underway today in Cedar Falls, IA, the religious card is not really being played, but it is clearly in the deck. And one of the South’s more prominent agriculture and food attorneys is joining the defense team for William B. Aossey Jr. In response to…
Continue Reading Confusion Over Lawyers Marks Start of First Halal Trial in Iowa
Iowa Judge Denies Motions to Dismiss, Halal Beef Trial Scheduled to Start July 7
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Linda R. Reade signed an order Tuesday dismissing defendant William B. Aossey Jr.’s request for dismissal of 12 of 19 charges prior to the July 7 scheduled start of his jury trial in Cedar Rapids, IA. The judge’s order means that the 73-year-old Cedar Rapids…
Continue Reading Iowa Judge Denies Motions to Dismiss, Halal Beef Trial Scheduled to Start July 7
Feds Want to Keep Seized Midamar Emails For Now
The government on Tuesday asked a federal magistrate to deny an emergency motion seeking the return of emails taken last week when search warrants were executed at the Midamar Corporation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Defense attorneys for the company say the emails are shielded by attorney-client privilege. After a 56-minute…
Continue Reading Feds Want to Keep Seized Midamar Emails For Now