The trial for William Aossey Jr., 73, founder of Midamar Corp., was reset last week in federal court, reports KCRG News. U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade granted the continuance and set the trial for March 9, as requested by Aossey. The government didn’t resist the motion. The trial was previously set for late this month.

Aossey is charged with 19 counts: one count of conspiracy to make false statements, sell misbranded meat, and 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.

The continuance was granted after Aossey’s lawyer, Haytham Faraj, requested time for the defense to develop familiarity with USDA regulations, the Halal food industry, Islamic dietary standards and the meat and food packing industry standards, as well as to interview witnesses and investigating defenses to the charges.

If Aossey is convicted on all counts, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, each count of making a false statement on an export application is up to three years in prison, each count of wire fraud is up to 20 years in prison and each count of money laundering, including the money laundering conspiracy, is up to 20 years in prison.

Source: KCRG News