Impact
The raid had a significant impact on the Postville community. The town, with a census population of only 2,273, lost a large percentage of its population due to the arrests. As a result of the difficulties Agriprocessors faced after the raid, the plant stopped slaughtering cattle in October 2008, and filed for bankruptcy on November 5, 2008. The City Council declared Postville a humanitarian and economic disaster area, but federal officials said the town didn't qualify for help. Agriprocessors was bought at auction in July 2009 and has resumed production under the new name “Agri Star” on a lower scale.
Several Agriprocessors employees and managers were indicted on charges of conspiracy to harbor illegal immigrants and were convicted, whereas related charges brought against the owner, Aaron Rubashkin, and his son and CEO of the company, Sholom Rubashkin, were dismissed. However, the financial irregularities that were brought to light by the raid and subsequent investigations led to a $35 million bank fraud charge against the plant's top manager Sholom Rubashkin, who was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Read more about this topic: Postville Raid
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