IA - Judge: Rubashkin's Appeal Will Take Time

Cedar Rapids, IA - A judge says it’s going to take time for her to consider the appeal of a former Iowa slaughterhouse manager serving prison time for financial misconduct.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade said Tuesday she’s started to skim Sholom Rubashkin’s application for post-conviction relief. She told attorneys she has many other appeals to consider before Rubashkin’s, and, “I’m not going to get to this for awhile.”

Rubashkin once ran the Agriprocessors plant in Postville. He’s serving a 27-year prison term after being convicted of defrauding the company’s lender out of millions.

Rubashkin’s appeal argues the government interfered with the plant’s sale, which increased the bank’s losses and led to a longer sentence. 

It also argues the government should’ve disclosed its contacts with Judge Reade about an immigration raid at the plant.