Oct30
Agriprocessors Fined $10 Million; Sholom Rubashkin Arrested
Posted at 03:34 PM | Permalink
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Comments (18)
If you're looking for a truly scary haunt this Halloween, look no further than Postville, Iowa–based Agriprocessors. Seriously folks, it's a real house of horrors for all living creatures. The kosher slaughterhouse is severely lacking when it comes to humane treatment of animals and humans. Here's a perfect example from one of our undercover investigations:
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You may remember that a few months back the slaughterhouse was busted because "76% of the 968 employees of Agriprocessors were using false or fraudulent Social Security numbers." This was the nation's largest single-site immigration raid. That's right, the slaughterhouse was almost entirely staffed by illegal immigrants who were exploited to do the dirty work—such as hacking into the throats of cows who were still conscious.
Now, Agriprocessors has something of its own to scream and writhe in pain about. According to the Des Moines Register, the slaughterhouse "faces nearly $10 million in civil penalties for repeated violations of Iowa's wage laws between Jan. 1, 2006 and June 30." And it appears that cattle slaughter at the plant has stalled—which translates into millions of dollars lost for the meat industry. You can check out the specific fines here.
According to the article, Iowa Labor Commissioner Dave Neil said, "Once again, Agriprocessors has demonstrated a complete disregard for Iowa law."
In addition to the $10 million in state fines, Agriprocessors is in even more trouble with the feds. A human resources employee pled guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges, and the former CEO (and owner's son) Sholom Rubashkin was just arrested on similar charges. Heads are rolling at Agriprocessors, but for once they're not bovine heads.
Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky
TAGGED:
vegetarian agriprocessors investigation Kosher
Comments
Good on them. It's too bad though, that fines weren't levied as a direct result of animal cruelty—inversion could never be considered a humane form of slaughter, but just a convenience to the slaughterer. Animal welfare seems of little importance to the government, but lost tax revenue—omigod.
Anyway, the net result is still good. Ha-ha.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | October 30, 2008 04:34 PM
Just what I was thinking, Mike. Too bad people didn't even see how the animals were treated. That wasn't even mentioned. People are so uneducated when it comes to animal rights.
Posted by: 4 the Animals | October 30, 2008 05:18 PM
I hope the WHOLE place shuts down.. for good.. that would be even better!!!
Posted by: yf | October 30, 2008 05:51 PM
how truly frightening to have your throat cut whilst you are still fully conscious.. the sheer TERROR these poor animals must go through.. these kosher slaughterhouses are turly the worse.. ie. some ritual religious belief they have that you cannot touch the animal before it is killed/dead.. what TOFU mumbo!!! ie.. it's forbidden to touch.. but okay to kill.. what is the logic or sense in that.. ?
I hope this place is fined for every dollar it's worth.. in fact. I hope it's completely crippled.. but having said that.. kosher slaughter houses will always be so.. people's strange religious beliefs are so deeply imbedded and regliously carried out .. nothing will change their ways.. what religious TOFU!!!!
Posted by: carolin | October 30, 2008 05:59 PM
I knew it. Animal cruelty causes illegal immigration!
Posted by: King of Fiji | October 30, 2008 08:25 PM
It is good they are being fined and hopefully shut down for good. I am sorry that the fines were not related to how these animals were tortured.
How can "religious" people continue to eat meat while knowing what goes on in these places??? I can't believe most of them don't think about the cruelty involved with meat eating.
They HAVE to know about this issue. When I still ate meat years ago, it bothered me very much until I finally decided to end my complacency and make a choice to go vegetarian for the animals.
I knew what happend in factory farms and slaughterhouses. Anyone who reads or watches television knows about this issue.
How can religious people contribute to this cruelty while practicing religions that teach mercy, understanding and forgiveness-the virtures most lacking in slaughterhouses??
Posted by: Kelley | October 31, 2008 10:03 AM
One- The U.S. should have a zero tolerance policy towards illegal immigration. Especially for illegal immigrants who steal and use American citizens social security numbers!
Two- There should also be a zero tolerance policy towards companies that completely disregard the companies expected policies and procedures.
This company should be shut down completely. The CEO and son should not be allowed to operate/be in charge of another business, especially one that is similar to this one. Obviously there are too many bad apples running a much (sp?) in that place and the CEO and his son are no better. This should be a lesson learned and warning to other companies similar to this one.
I think animal cruelty should be on the list of things to take care of however, in this particular situation- let's see the real issue at hand- ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. 76% of the employees were illegal. That shows how much a place like that has very little regard for laws, rules, and policies! Why would we expect them to regard an animal's rights?
Posted by: bbr | October 31, 2008 11:53 AM
The first thing that came to mind when I read the heading were the cows. Unfortunatly they are the last to even be considered, humans first... And the animals pay the ultimate price, death!! Do a cow a favor, go veg and truly make 'em smile!!! As for AgriNOTprocessors... you're screwed!!! 10 million = losers
Posted by: Carla | October 31, 2008 12:38 PM
BBR,
The real issue has to do with two things - the illegal immigrants and the animals. No one is doing anything to protect the animals. That's the difference. They are only hitting on the immigrant issue.
Posted by: Paige | October 31, 2008 01:36 PM
BBR,
Slaughterhouse work has one of the highest accident and turnover rates in the country. The average American finds it repulsive, heinous, putrid and disgusting work, since whether these workers admit it or not, they know the animals suffer greatly. Illegal immigrants have no choice when they're desperate for a job. This is work the average American would never consider doing.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | November 1, 2008 08:39 AM
This is the BEST news ever i am so happy I could jump !!!!! YES !
Posted by: adriana | November 1, 2008 12:41 PM
you guys are crazy
Posted by: shmo | November 1, 2008 08:47 PM
Ignorance and the lack of education and regard for life. We need to expose and institute more investigations everywhere and be their voice to end all animal cruelty. Thank you.
Posted by: Dee Prado | November 2, 2008 05:12 PM
"I think animal cruelty should be on the list of things to take care of however, in this particular situation- let's see the real issue at hand- ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION."
animal cruelty is the real issue. it's not a stretch to realize the corrupt economic system underneath that fuels these negative situations, is geared toward anthropocentic gain and runs amok destroying everything in its path. Including the earth.
Posted by: vegancoin | November 2, 2008 05:56 PM
Let's review:
76% of their workforce comprised of illegal aliens whom they exploit by cheating them out of some of their hard earned wages,
a former human resources employee pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and identity theft,
the former CEO and dear darling son of the owner arrested on similar charges,
an utter disregard for the laws governing their community,
a barbaric disregard for the treatment of the animals they slaughter-
sounds like the perfect summation of the meat industry to me!
Posted by: David | November 3, 2008 01:30 AM
I hope they get shut down. GO VEGGIE!
Posted by: SASHA | November 6, 2008 12:22 AM
hmmm
It sounds like there are loads of impartial comments on this blog.
You know the old saying, "Think before you say something". Or in this case "Think before you blog."
I am waiting to see all the nasty responses I get to my Post. That would be typical Peta. Attack someone who may have a slightly different opinion to yours. It would be refreshing to see if you guys could hold back on blogging in response.
I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Posted by: Hana | November 7, 2008 02:03 AM
Exactly everyone. Why aren't the fines related to animal cruelty? It's not even mentioned. That's bulls**t. The goverment sux
Posted by: Andres Vasquez | November 19, 2008 07:16 AM