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
Continue Reading Appeal could put Secretary of Agriculture in courthouse door
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
Continue Reading Consent decree clamps down, but lets Midamar try Halal again
Corporate entities in Halal beef scheme get fines, probation
Iowa’s Midamar Corp., a worldwide supplier to Muslim markets, and its Halal certifying agency Islamic Services of America, or ISA Inc., cannot be put in jail, but the corporate entities did not escape the hurt
Continue Reading Corporate entities in Halal beef scheme get fines, probation
Federal judge sentences Halal beef schemer to 2 years
Another long-time food company executive is headed to federal prison. 
William B. Aossey Jr., the founder and long-time chief executive of Iowa’s Midamar Corp., was sentenced today to two years in a federal prison yet
Continue Reading Federal judge sentences Halal beef schemer to 2 years
Sentencing in Halal food case continued to Feb. 25
In three hours court action Friday, Chief Judge Linda R. Reade heard from witnesses and lawyers over objections and exhibits. Reade did not, however, get to the purpose of the hearing — the sentencing of
Continue Reading Sentencing in Halal food case continued to Feb. 25
Iowa Halal Business Founder Will Be Sentenced on Feb. 5
William B. Aossey, Jr., the 74-year old founder of a Halal food exporter enterprise in Cedar Rapids, IA, will be sentenced at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 5 by Chief Judge Linda R. Reade of the
Continue Reading Iowa Halal Business Founder Will Be Sentenced on Feb. 5
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
Continue Reading Courts Will Continue to Be Food Safety Enforcement’s Big Stick in 2016
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
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.
Continue Reading Midamar, Islamic Services Hit With $600,000 Forfeiture in Halal Case
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
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
Continue Reading Plea Agreements Could Lead to Second Iowa Halal Trial Being Scratched