Cert. Denied In Bail Plea of Kosher Meat Plant Executive

Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in Rubashkin v. United States, (Docket No. 09-1099, April 19, 2010). (Order List.) In the case, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to release Sholom Rubashkin, former vice-president of the Postville, Iowa Agriprocessors, Inc., a kosher meat packing plant, on bail pending sentencing. (Full text of order.) Rubaskin was convicted by a federal jury on 86 counts of financial fraud. (See prior related posting.) Religion News Service reported yesterday that Rubashkin's Orthodox Jewish supporters are increasing their protests over his case as he faces a possible life sentence at his April 28 sentencing hearing. Through an online petition, supporters are urging that citizens voice their concerns to the Justice Department. According to RNS, through Twitter and Facebook some rabbis have called it a "sacred obligation" for Jews to contact the Justice Department on Rubashkin's behalf.