Posted at: 10/28/2009 2:47 PM

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Rubashkin Attorneys Seek Mistrial

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Attorneys for a former manager of a kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa are calling for a mistrial after a government witness testified about illegal immigrants working at the plant.

Defense attorney Guy Cook filed the motion Wednesday, saying the information about the alleged hiring of illegal immigrants at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, will seriously damage the defense against bank fraud charges facing former manager Sholom Rubashkin.

Cook objected to the details being allowed because U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade had separated the bank fraud charges and immigration charges.

Rubashkin is on trial in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls, S.D., on 91 fraud charges. He will face a separate trial later on 72 immigration charges.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)