The message in Rubashkin's trials

By The Gazette Editorial Board

Unless an appeal is granted, the trials and sentencing of Sholom Rubashkin are complete. On Tuesday, U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade dealt a 27-year prison term and $26 million in restitution orders to the former CEO of the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant he oversaw in Postville.

Too harsh for a 51-year-old with 10 children, his defenders declared in announcing plans to appeal both the verdict and the sentencing.

Rubashkin's sentencing followed his November conviction on federal counts of fraud, money laundering and failure to pay livestock providers in a timely manner - charges that followed the May 2008 immigration raid at Agriprocessors, where more than 400 illegal workers were arrested. The scale of the financial crimes justifies stiff punishment, regardless of whether you agree with the length of the sentence.

Yet it also looks as if Rubashkin got off easy on other related issues that are just as important. More so, actually, because they reflect the ongoing failure of our federal government to bring needed immigration law reform even after major raids across the nation, Arizona's border problems and other recent high-profile incidents.

Earlier this year, 72 charges against Rubashkin for violating immigration laws were dropped. Prosecutors cited the expected expense of a trial and noted he had already been convicted on the financial fraud charges, which carry a much heavier prison sentence.

Then he was acquitted of all 67 child labor charges, his defense convincing a jury that he wasn't aware of confirmed illegal underage workers were working under dangerous conditions and didn't deliberately allow them to stay. Hard to swallow. And, again, those counts carry lesser penalties.

Rubashkin faces severe punishment for his financial crimes. But the other cases could have put more pressure on the White House and Congress to enact meaningful reform.

The dismissal and acquittal stole some thunder. That's disappointing.

Those actions also send a message that financial fraud is more serious than exploitation of adults and children.

That's just wrong.