Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 12:22 pm Post subject: 27 YEARS FOR SHOLOM RUBASHKIN!
I am in total shock.
Family, friends and supporters of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin expressed outrage after the federal court announced a sentence of 27 years in prison for his bank fraud conviction.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade issued a sentencing memorandum Monday outlining the sentence she will impose on Rubashkin during Tuesday's hearing in Cedar Rapids.
Reade indicated in the document she would not impose a fine on the former manager of the Iowa kosher slaughterhouse, but AP says Rubashkin will be ordered to pay nearly $31 million restitution.
A jury found Rubashkin guilty on 86 federal financial fraud charges last fall.
Rubashkin's attorney Guy Cook says the sentence is unfair and excessive that that Rubashkin's conviction and sentencing will be appealed.
"The sentence is greater than necessary, indeed, it is greater than what the government asked for," said Cook. "It is unfair and excessive, essentially a life sentence for a 51-year-old man, and is not in the public interest."
Rubashkin’s sentence is particularly harsh when compared to others convicted of similar crimes. Mark Turkcan, president of First Bank Mortgage of St. Louis, who misapplied $35 million in loans, resulting in a loss of approximately $25 million, was recently sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison.
The Rubashkin family and its supporters remain committed to pursuing all avenues towards a fair sentence, including appeal (which is already in the works, COLlive.com was told).
They continue to call on the Justice Department to investigate the pattern of overzealous prosecution in the Rubashkin case, which included the life sentence recommendation.
"It is heartbreaking to see the judge and the prosecution make an example out of Sholom Rubashkin at the expense of his family and his community," said his wife, Leah Rubashkin.
"What has happened today is inconsistent with the idea of equal justice under the law. All we have asked is that he be treated the same as everyone else."
U.S. attorney spokesman Bob Teig declined comment until the sentence is imposed.
Friends asked to keep praying for Sholom Mordechai Halevi ben Rivkah and to participate tonight, Monday, 9 PM, in the support rally at Bais Yaakov in Boro Park and via live broadcast of COLlive.com.
I told you all the judge is a reshante. More than the prosecution asked for! What cruelty!
Especially since the bank's losses ensued from Agriprocessor's bankruptcy, which came about from the Federal raid, which turns out to have been baseless (acquittals and dropped charges).
Zoll zi in d'erd aran gein. What a miscarriage of justice.
Joined: Aug 29 2007 Posts: 10296 Location: The Island keeps moving.
Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: re: 27 YEARS FOR SHOLOM RUBASHKIN!
shosh wrote:
Can this sentence be appealed?
Not sure how that works in federal court, but I'm sure there will be numerous articles on it soon. Is the standard abuse of discretion? I don't know.
Maybe the judge did Rubashkin a favor. IMNSHO, the guy was guilty, and his conviction would stand up to a fair appeal. But maybe this sentence will cause the Court of Appeals to be more interventionist than they might otherwise be. I don't know. What I do know is that even people who don't support Rubashkin are saddened by the sentence.
Edited because I really do KNOW when to so NO and when to say KNOW.
Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 2:33 pm Post subject: re: 27 YEARS FOR SHOLOM RUBASHKIN!
HASHEM YERACHEM!!!
We must not give up hope! We must daven and say Tehilim 'continuously' for his rightful freedom!
Hashem please answer to all the prayers from Klall Yisroel Letovah uleBracha and please release us all from the horrible prison of Galus!! Bekarov Beyameinu, Bebiyas Hamoshiach AMEIN!!
Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 3:14 pm Post subject: re: 27 YEARS FOR SHOLOM RUBASHKIN!
I am disgusted. Justice was perverted. I agree he did wrong..but the sentence is horrific. _________________ But then again, I'm a dragon.
"The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure he never knows he’s in prison."
— Fyodor Dostoevsky (via cosmic-rebirth)
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