Bill Aossey doesn’t deserve to be in jail

To the editor:

I wonder why Bill Aossey is in jail. According to your report, he admitted to offenses for which he was convicted ('Convicted Midamar founder goes to jail,” July 14).

They were 'white collar” offenses: mislabeling shipments of food for export. He was found not guilty of more serious allegations. No violence was even alleged. Aossey is scarcely a danger to the community. His being jailed is unjust.

I wonder if he is in jail because the judge was swayed by the prosecutor's innuendo that Aossey was somehow involved in or knowledgeable of alleged smuggling of weapons to Lebanon. Guilt by association, I believe one of your headlines pointed out. Or did the judge imagine that Aossey might be a flight risk? Have him post bond. Take his passport. Monitor his movements. But, put him in jail? That's not right.

Did the prosecutor exploit and the judge go along with an increasingly widespread ill-will directed at Muslims across the U. S.? I hope not. Nevertheless, I cannot help but wonder.

Aossey's family have been in Iowa and Cedar Rapids for generations. He served in the Peace Corps, one of its earliest volunteers. Midamar has been a successful business in Cedar Rapids for many years. He has benefited our community by his generosity. He reared his family here. This is his home.

Why, then, is he not to be freed from jail to continue his life with friends and family and conduct his business pending any appeals and the final disposition of his case?

Robin Kash

Cedar Rapids