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Lawyers for former Agriprocessors CEO Sholom Rubashkin have accused the federal judge who presided over his case of a conflict of interest and have filed emergency court papers demanding a retrial and her recusal.

According to papers filed Aug. 5, U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade was involved in preparations for the May 2008 raid on the Agriprocessors kosher meat plant in Postville, Iowa. The raid led to Rubashkin’s arrest on a wide range of charges, including the financial fraud for which he was ultimately convicted.

Reade sentenced Rubashkin to 27 years in federal prison in June, two more years than prosecutors demanded. The jury’s verdict should be vacated pending a new trial, his lawyers say, as well as Reade’s decision to deny Rubashkin’s release on bail.  — jta