Feb 17, 2:30 PM EST

Ex-slaughterhouse boss in Iowa loses bail appeal

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A former vice president of an Iowa kosher slaughterhouse has lost two appeals for his request to be released on bail while he awaits sentencing.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday declined to hear a petition from Sholom Rubashkin. The court also declined to have a rehearing from a smaller panel of three judges on the same matter.

In January, the three-judge panel denied Rubashkin's appeal to be released on bail.

The 51-year-old Postville man was convicted of 86 counts of financial fraud in November.

The Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville was the site of a massive immigration raid in May 2008. Hundreds of illegal immigrants were arrested and convicted.

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