Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles is said to be considering the release of former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin from jail, COLlive has learned.
At a hearing today in Ceder Rapids, IA, the prosecution warned that if released, Rubashkin might flee to Israel. “The risk of flight here is acute, it’s too great,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan said in court.
The judge has received that morning letters from Lubavitchers and family in support of Rubashkin.
Even if he somehow could get to Israel after surrendering his U.S. passport, Rubashkin’s lawyer Baruch Weiss said, Rubashkin surely would be sent back. “With these sorts of charges, he will not find a home in Israel, and he knows that.”
Rubashkin, son of Agri founder Aaron Rubashkin, was arrested Friday on a federal bank-fraud charge. He had been free on bond after being charged last month with conspiring to hire undocumented workers.
Weiss asked Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles to release Rubashkin after increasing the bond to $2 million and ordering him to stay in his house or in the homes of friends or relatives in Iowa or elsewhere.
The Des Moines Register reported that Scoles said he would consider the matter and make a written ruling, probably on Thursday. Rubashkin was returned to jail, at least for the night.
The plant has been struggling to survive since May, when immigration agents raided it and arrested nearly 400 workers.
THE PICTURE THAT WAS PUT UP IS VERY DEGRADING AND DISRESPECTFUL IT SHOULD BE REMOVED.WE DON’T NEED TO SEE HIM IN THAT STATE, AS IT IS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE GOING THROUGH A HARD TIME.PLEASE TAKE IT OFF AND REPLACE IT!