Trials reset for Midamar founder, sons charged in halal beef scheme

CEDAR RAPIDS - Federal trials have been rescheduled for the founder of Midamar Corp. and his sons in cases that involve mislabeling beef products and falsifying documents.

William Aossey, 73, is charged with 19 counts that include one count each of conspiracy to make false statements, sell misbranded meat, commit mail and wire fraud; seven counts of making or causing false statements to be made on export applications; seven counts of wire fraud; three counts of money laundering; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

His trial was reset to July 7 in U.S. District Court. He has pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, William Aossey and others are accused of generating export documents that contained false information about the source and nature of at least $4.9 million in beef products sold to customers in Malaysia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and other countries. According to the indictment, Midamar didn't follow strict halal practices promised in its labeling and advertising.

False certificates were created to show the shipments complied with import requirements of the countries where the beef was shipped, according to the indictment.

His sons - Jalel Aossey, 40 and Yahya Nasser Aossey, 44, both of Cedar Rapids and corporate officers of Midamar and Islamic Services of America - face 92 charges.

Their trial is reset to Sept. 28 in U.S. District Court. They have pleaded not guilty.

The brothers and each of the businesses are charged with one count of conspiracy to make and use materially false statements and documents, selling misbranded meat and committing wire fraud; 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.