Midamar corporate officers plead not guilty to 92 federal counts

CEDAR RAPIDS - Corporate officers of Midamar Corp. and Islamic Services of America in Cedar Rapids pleaded not guilty to 92 federal charges Monday, involving mislabeling of Halal beef products and falsifying documents.

Jalel Aossey, 40 and brother Yahya Nasser Aossey, 44, both of Cedar Rapids, and each of the businesses are charged with one count of conspiracy to make and use materially false statements and documents; sell misbranded meat; and commit wire fraud.

According to the indictment, each is also charged with three counts of making false statements on export applications; 44 counts of wire fraud; 44 counts of money laundering; and one count of conspiring to commit money laundering.

According to the indictment, it also contains two forfeiture allegations, seeking proceeds and property involved in certain offenses.

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 was reset to March 9.

If convicted, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, each count of making a false statement on an export application is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Each count of wire fraud, money laundering, including the money laundering conspiracy, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A fine of up to $250,000 may also be imposed on each count, along with a term of supervised release following prison time.

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