Former Midamar manager charged in misbranding case

A former Midamar operations manager was charged Thursday in federal court as part of an alleged Halal beef scheme in which the company's founder and corporate officers have pleaded not guilty to falsifying documents, money laundering, and selling misbranded meat.

Philip G. Payne, 50, of Ryan, is charged with one count of conspiracy to make and deliver false certificates and writings; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States; and one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

According to the court information, Payne and others in the company created the false certificates and writings in order to give the false impression that shipments of beef complied with import requirements of Malaysia and Indonesia, where the beef was shipped, and also complied with U.S. export requirements.

Corporate officers of Midamar and Islamic Services of America, Jalel Aossey, 40, and brother Yahya Nasser Aossey, 44, both of Cedar Rapids, pleaded not guilty to 92 federal charges earlier this week involving mislabeling of Halal beef products and falsifying documents.

Jalel and Yahya Aossey's trial is set Feb. 17. Both men were released on pretrial supervision pending trial.

William Aossey, 73, founder of Midamar and father of Jalel and Yahya, was charged with 19 similar counts in October. His trial is March 9.

If Payne is convicted on all counts, he faces 11 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $600,000.

Payne is set to make his first court appearance Jan. 5.