Timeline: The Rubashkin family, owners of Agriprocessors in Postville

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Tuesday November 25, 2008 · 7:44 PM PST

2008/11/25 · 19:44

Agriprocessors, a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, was founded by Chabad-Lubavitcher Abraham Aaron Rubashkin in 1987 and was officially managed by his two sons -- Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin and Tzvi Hirsch (Heshy) Rubashkin. The plant was the site of a massive immigration raid on May 12, which resulted in 302 undocumented workers, primarily from Guatemala and Mexico, facing both deportation and criminal identity theft-related charges.

That is the story that most know in connection with the Rubashkin family and Agriprocessors, Inc. Yet it is only one chapter of the lengthy history which hints at a quest for both political influence and market domination. Since the plant and family have once again found a place in the national spotlight, I hope the timeline I've developed will be of benefit. Although extensive, this timeline should in no way be considered a definitive list.

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