Posted at: 11/05/2009 3:53 PM

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Rubashkin Testifies in Trial, Denies Charges

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The former manager of an Iowa kosher meatpacking plant says he never intentionally violated federal laws but admits he made some mistakes.

Sholom Rubashkin faces 91 charges of bank, mail and wire fraud, money laundering and ignoring orders to pay cattle providers in the time required by federal law.

Rubashkin took the stand Thursday in his trial in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls, S.D. He says questionable financial practices at the Agriprocessors Inc. plant in Postville, Iowa, can be blamed on his oversights or actions by other employees.

Rubashkin testified he never read an agreement for a $35 million line of credit to the plant before signing it. Former employees have testified that Rubashkin told a worker to falsify sales invoices to collect larger advances.

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