From Al-Arabiya
Monday, 15 December 2014
A food supplier for several years falsely marketed beef to Muslims around the world as meeting strict halal standards, exporting products that weren’t slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, federal prosecutors allege in a major fraud indictment.
Midamar Corp., based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sold at least $4.9 million in beef to customers in Malaysia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere that did not follow the halal practices promised in its labeling and advertising, according to the indictment returned Dec. 5 by a grand jury.
Midamar and its directors, brothers Jalel and William “Yahya” Aossey, are charged with conspiring to make and use false statements and documents, sell misbranded meat and commit mail and wire fraud. Also indicted is another company the brothers controlled, Islamic Services of America, which is one of the few organizations approved by Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE to certify beef for import into their countries. The defendants are charged with 91 other counts of making false statements on export certificates, wire fraud and money laundering.
Midamar’s founder, 73-year-old William Aossey Jr., pleaded not guilty to similar charges last week. His sons, ages 40 and 44, were scheduled to be arraigned Monday in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Midamar issued a statement calling the charges a violation of the U.S. constitution’s separation of church and state, saying it was inappropriate for the government to judge halal practices. The company said its slaughter methods have been vetted by halal auditors during its 40-year history and the “company continues to maintain its high level of halal integrity.”
