Rubashkin: Denied Bail and Managers Plea Out

The latest news on Rubashkin is that slaughterhouse manager Sholom Rubashkin was denied bail on fraud charges. No reason for the decision was given but his attorney plans on repealing the judges ruling. Meanwhile former slaughterhouse manager Brent Beebe pleads guilty to document fraud:

Beebe admitted in his plea that he served as a middleman on a loan for more than $4,000 from former manager Sholom Rubashkin to about 19 illegal immigrant employees to pay for new fake documents.

Surprise! Agriporcessor Executive Pleads Guilty to Fraud

Agriprocessor is a company that has had more bad press than any I can think of in a long time. This company has been brought up on charges from every angle! It started with allegations of animal cruelty then certification issues and labor violations then eventually bankruptcy. One would think with Agriprocessors recent sale this would be the end of the saga but there's more! A former executive of Agriprocessor:Yomtov “Toby” Bensasson, 56, has plead guilty to fraud. He admitted that he conspired from September 2007 to October 2008 to lie to a bank to receive advances on a loan. Bensasson told authorities that he “overstated the value of collateral as part of his employer’s request for an advance on a loan,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement.
With all the recent bad press Jews have been getting in the business world this only adds fuel to the fire.

Rubashkin: What does the fututre hold in store?

The forward has a more in-depth article about the recent purchase of the bankrupt Slaughterhouse giant, Agriprocessor. The information on the new owners:SHF Industries, a company formed by Canadian plastics manufacturer Hershey Friedman and his son-in-law, Daniel Hirsch. Friedman owns Polystar Packaging Inc. of Montreal, which is a top maker of plastic packaging for meat.
According to the forward, people are wondering about many issues including whether the Rubashkin family will be involved in the plant. Mr. Friedman has assured people that the Rubashkin family will not be involved in upper management, however some members of the family may be allowed to hold onto lower level jobs.

Agriprocessor Meat Plant: SOLD!

The good news of the day is the Agriprocessor has been sold ! More importantly, it will remain a kosher meat plant and hopefully can bring down the cost of kosher meat and poultry. The buyer: SHF industreies which as previously discussed is owned by Canadian plastics manufacturer Hershey Friedman and his son-in-law, Daniel Hirsch. No news as to how quickly they will get operations up and running. Agriprocessor aka Rubashkin had gone bankrupt after undergoing several scandals and labor law indictments.

Want to buy a slaughterhouse? How is $40 Mil?

Latest news in the controversy of Agriprocessors is an offer for $40 million to purchase the bankrupt company. The offer comes from from Israeli firm Soglowek Nahariya Ltd.. They are hoping that this serious offer will set the stage for higher offers in the near future. If you would like to purchase the largest slaughter house in the USA you have till March 18th to make a bid. State officials have already stated that they will not allow Rubashkin to have any involvement in the plant.

Tell Me Some Good News: Economy-Kosher Meat Shortage

There really is very little to be happy about lately. The economy has taken a major hit and who knows when the bottom will hit? Retail sales are the lowest on record and the global economy is shrinking as we speak and jobless claims are soaring to a 7 yr. high .Many are saying there really is no end in sight. As if this wasn't bad enough, Kosher meat production is in question and shortages are already happening in cities like Cleveland and now Rubashkin's former CEO has been arrested for the second time. The only good news seems to be the lower gasoline prices , lower mortgage rates and 0% on new car purchases. Don't Worry..be happy.

Rubashkin: An inside look!

This video has been produced courtesy of the Five Towns Jewish Times. The media has certainly done a great job at bashing the Rubashkin company, Agriporcessor. This video show you the other side of the story. Workers are asked serious in-depth questions. One worker tells you how the pay and work load is petter than other slaughterhouses like Tyson Foods.

Meat Shortage: Even Brooklyn?

New York Magazine has an article that discusses the troubles of the Kosher Meat industry entitled" Shochet Shocker". The article goes on to discuss how the federal investigation into Agriprocessors aka Rubashkin has been effecting the kosher meat industry everywhere from Brooklyn to Nashville. The effects of these issues are that many kosher stores are having problems stocking kosher meat from Supersol on the Upper West Side, to Glatt Mart in Flatbush the article claims, are all having issues with supply. Certainly this is not surprising in lue of the latest debacles at Rubashkin, the largest supplier of Kosher meat in the United States. However previous news reports that claimed there would be no meat shortage would now seem to have been in haste. I recently went to Brach's in Far Rockaway and can honestly say I was unaware of any shortage of their meats. I can say I'm appalled at the rise in some of the poultry prices but I'm not sure that's not attributed to fuel price increases. Here is an example of some inflation: family chicken bottoms could be found for just $1.59 a pound now are priced at $2.09. Chicken drumsticks could be found for $1.99 a pound now are $3.59! Perhaps this is G-d's way of saying...lay off the red meat and poultry for a while? Stay tuned....

Rubashkin: Rabbi Nadel Speaks Out

The JTA blog brings to light statements made by Rabbi Nadel, the OU’s head of meat supervision.Rabbi Nadel is attempting to clear up a lot of the controversy concerning the mountains of bad press that Agriprocessor has been dealing with. The email dealt with the idea that mashgichim were unaware of anything that happened outside of the plant as that's the only place they inspect:

I go all over the plant when I visit, and the mashgichim that work for the OU also do, but only into areas where meat is processed. We do not visit the water treatment plant, nor the sheds where some materials are stored, nor houses where gentile workers live. We also do not act as OSHA inspectors, interviewing workers to hear their complaints. He goes on to say that we should be careful not believe everything we read:The OU is following the actions and findings of the federal authorities and will act accordingly; we take violations of law very seriously. But the OU certainly does not assume a person guilty because of allegations, nor is any Jew allowed to. We have certified Rubashkin for years, and I can assure you there are no kashrus problems at Postville more than occasional mistakes that happen anywhere, and when mistakes do happen, they are corrected.

Rubashkin: The Bad News Doesn't Stop

Just when you thought things couldn't possibly get any worse for Agriporcessor, there are now allegations of serious abuse of illegal workers. This is looks like it's going to end very badly. I only hope someone can step in and save this plant from closing down entirely. All these allegations are enough to want to find a bucket to stick your head in.....help!

Kosher Meat: Shortages? Price Increase?

Recent reports show that even though Agriprocessor aka Rubashkin is shut down due to current investigations, there is no kosher meat shortage...yet. I've been told by someone at the OU that there is enough meat in their current storage for a years supply. The problem will arise should the owners of the nations largest kosher meat suppliers be indicted and end up behind bars. Who can possibly pick the slack should the plant shut down indefinitely? The answer is: nobody. Even Empire who has recently cut it's production of poultry could not possibly make up the lack of kosher beef . You may be seeing some serious kosher meat shortages as well as price increases if something is not put in place should this court battle go south.

Kosher Meat and Immigration Raid!

As I've mentioned before Agriprocessors, the largest Kosher meat supplier just can't seem to stay out of the papers. First with Peta and other federal investigation and now 300 people are arrested at the plant for immigration violations! The truth be told this is not the first meat plant to have been investigated for illegals: In December 2006, hundreds of workers were detained during immigration raids at Swift & Co meat plants in six states, that temporarily shut down the plants.The question is after being investigated for a variety of items including mistreatment of it's workforce you would think they would be smart enough to stay clear of an immigration problem especially of this magnitude. Guess not...

Rubashkin Investigated: Again!

As I had mentioned previously, PETA has been a thorn in the side of Rubashkin, the largest kosher meat manufacturer. PETA has been pressing allegation on the mistreatment of animals at the Rubashkin plant known as Local Pride. It looks like they have gotten their wish so far.It has been reported that a special prosecutor has been assigned to the case. Evidently the OU has launched their own investigation as well.

Rubashkin Recall

As if PETA is not giving Rubashkin enough aggravation, Rubashkin now has a major recall.Agriprocessors is recalling 35,860 pounds of frozen beef and chicken products because they may contain egg albumen. Egg albumen is an allergen and it was included on the label. No illnesses have been reported.

PETA is at it at Again! Rubashkin Probe!

PETA had previously put Rubashkin in the limelight for alleged animal cruelty. Well according to Forbes they certainly have not dropped the ball:in a complaint filed Monday with the Sheridan County Attorney, the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Local Pride LLC allows cows to remain conscious for up to two minutes after their throats are cut during the kosher slaughtering process, among other things. Evidently Local Pride was open in connection with Rubashkin, the largest kosher meat processor. PETA had tried to go undercover to continue with it's previous complaint against the kosher meat giant. Unfortunately for PETA the USDA found no federal violations of animal rights.