Congress was not “clear and unambiguous,” but the “better reading” of federal law finds it did not intend to withhold jurisdiction from the district courts in deciding criminal violations under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. That finding by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit means the criminal
Continue Reading Enforcement of meat inspections not limited to Secretary of Ag
Appeal could put Secretary of Agriculture in courthouse door
For the first time since the U.S. Department of Justice increased filing criminal charges for food safety violations, it may get its wings clipped just a bit by a challenge to district court jurisdiction in some limited instances. At issue is a jurisdictional question being raised on appeal that could
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Halal appeals get meaty; federal court jurisdiction challenged
When it went through the trial court, the case just seemed like a switch-a-roo scheme that got busted. But now, a consolidated appeal with oral arguments planned is sparking broader interest because it’s become a question about the jurisdiction of federal courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth
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A question of the Secretary of Agriculture’s jurisdiction
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
Consent decree clamps down, but lets Midamar try Halal again
Iowa’s Halal exporting company where for five years workers erased mandatory USDA Establishment numbers on products to hide the source of orders destined for Malaysia and Indonesia can continue in business. The U.S. Department of Agriculture came close to shutting down Midamar Corp. of Cedar Rapids, IA, which exports 200
Continue Reading Consent decree clamps down, but lets Midamar try Halal again
Halal Beef Scheme Could Have Millions of Potential Victims in Asia
Ahead of the yet-to-be scheduled sentencing of the defendants, the government wants to be relieved of the burden of notifying individual victims of a scheme that altered and falsified the true USDA establishment numbers on beef products exported from the United States. Government attorneys have asked the U.S. District Court
Continue Reading Halal Beef Scheme Could Have Millions of Potential Victims in Asia
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
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Plea Agreements in Halal Case Could Mean Jail Time for Aossey Brothers
Outlines of the plea agreements between the government and brothers Jalel and Yahya Nasser Aossey were coming into focus ahead of today’s federal court hearings in Cedar Rapids, IA. 
Court documents suggest that Jalel Aossey and the corporate entities are each being allowed to plead guilty to a single count
Continue Reading Plea Agreements in Halal Case Could Mean Jail Time for Aossey Brothers
Plea Agreements Could Lead to Second Iowa Halal Trial Being Scratched
A second criminal trial in Iowa’s halal beef case will likely be scratched if the court accepts plea agreements that four defendants have reached with the government. Those defendants, along with their attorneys, are scheduled to appear at individual hearings next Friday before Chief Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles in Cedar
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Halal Beef Exporter Goes to Federal Criminal Trial in Iowa on July 7
The man who built a worldwide Halal beef exporting company from Iowa will go to federal criminal trial in Cedar Rapids on July 7, beginning with jury selection. Federal Magistrate Judge Jon Stuart Scoles has denied defendant William B. Aossey Jr.’s motion to continue the trial for a third time
Continue Reading Halal Beef Exporter Goes to Federal Criminal Trial in Iowa on July 7