Getzel Rubashkin And Nathan Lewin Interviews

Lewin calls the prosecution "overzealous" and  "vindictive," and said the prosecution "fail[ed] to be at all considerate of any human considerations with regard to the case."

 

Keep in mind this is the same judge and the same prosecution that allowed Rubashkin to twice travel to his rebbe's grave in New York to pray, even though his release conditions did not allow him to leave the county, let alone Iowa.

Needless to say, both completely mis-state the case against Agriprocessors and Rubashkin, and Lewin outright lies over and over again.

Unfortunately, lying is not an offense an attorney can be disbarred for, unless that lying is done in court (or in a deposition, etc.).

Lewin for many years sat on Agudath Israel of America's executive committee (he may still be sitting on it, in fact). His father was a defender of shechita who fought against animal rights activists  (and antisemites , as well) who objected to shechita. At the time, kosher slaughter was done by casting or shackle and hoist. Both methods are extremely cruel, so cruel that Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik himself worked to ban shackle and hoist slaughter. Of course, the real facts never get in the way of Lewin's lies.

What you'll hear is Lewin blaming the Forward and Nathaniel Popper for Rubashkin's plight, claiming the Forward and Popper lied, and the Modern Orthodox community abandoned Rubashkin.

That Lewin so blatantly lies should tell you two things. 1. The truth is not on Rubashkin's side and, 2. Lewin is a very dishonest, unethical man.

There are long silent gaps that are on the original recording. And, unfortunately, my sound editing software isn't working so I can't edit out those gaps or other extraneous material.

Getzel Rubashkin, Sholom Rubashkin's son, starts at about 24 minutes. Lewin starts at about 50 minutes.

Please click the gray bar to start listening (or, as FGBA points out, right click to download):

Nathan Lewin Getzel Rubashkin Talkline 4-17-10

Comments

[critical minyan]

rubashkin is being punished for nat lewin's sins. sure Rubashkin is a criminal, but Nat Lewin tried to make a constitutional case over this, and it backfired big time.

[effie]

He's being treated like other similarly situated defendants. That's the rub - too many people expect Rubashkin to get royal treatment.

[sage]

If SMR outlives Judge Judy, Hashem may have the last laugh, by assigning her to preside over SMR's Trial in the next world.

[sage]

If SMR outlives Judge Judy, Hashem may have the last laugh, by assigning her to preside over SMR's Trial in the next world.

[Bill]

All criminals are human.

What "human considerations" are they talking about?

[WoolSilkCotton]

Many criminals have fathered lots of children. Some of those kids are handicapped.
How is SMR and his family any different? Oh yeah, he wears a black hat, so anything goes.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Many criminals have fathered lots of children. Some of those kids are handicapped.
How is SMR and his family any different? Oh yeah, he wears a black hat, so anything goes.

[Jason]

Shmarya, under the NY Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 4.1, "In the course of representing a client, a lawyer may not knowingly make false statements of fact or law to a third person." Lewin would probably argue that in the interview he was not "representing a client" (the Rule applies in situations such as negotiations that are not conducted in court), but if you have proof of lies you probably have enough to lodge an ethics complaint with the Appellate Division of the NYS Courts.

[Shmarya]

Jason –

I should do it. Does this rule include intentionally misstating context? Or does it have to be a direct lie?

[Shaul in Monsey]

How can you fast forward to the interviews? No way to listen to 24 minutes of stupidity to get to the interviews...

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Shaul: Right mouse click on the box. Select "Save Target As". Download the file. Play it back with Windows Media Player or another mp3 player.

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Shaul: Right mouse click on the box. Select "Save Target As". Download the file. Play it back with Windows Media Player or another mp3 player.

[Jason]

The rule is just the one line I quoted. I can check to see if there has been any discussion or opinions on whether context is different that flat-out factual lies, but my gut tells me that if the contextual misstatements add up to an overall false impression, that is probably enough for a violation. In any event, you don't need to make the case for the ethics watchdogs at this point. Present them with your evidence and let them decide whether to bring an investigation.

[WoolSIlkCotton]

You are wasting your time filing an ethics complaint against a lawyer, especially accusing him of lying on behalf of his client.

Even with ethics complaints having documented evidence of lawyers committing fraud and blantantly illegal acts, there are fewer than 10% that are punished, and the vast majority of those are a Letter of Admonishment.

Lawyers policing lawyers. Please.

[Jason]

WoolSilk,

I do some work with political advocacy groups and good government groups, and much of what we do could be categorized as a waste of time. But someone has to do it, otherwise the bad guys know that no one out there will hold them accountable. And occasionally, we have some success. The point is, if you never make the effort (even in a cause that's an obvious loser), you'll never see a different result. And I guess it all depends on how much time one has to waste.

[WoolSIlkCotton]

Jason, if you and/or Shmarya are willing to file an Ethics Complaint against Lewin, then more power to you.

I would expect that after about 18 months, you will get a letter from the Board saying that they've declined to consider your complaint.

By all means, if you've got the patience, time and energy, go ahead and give it a shot.

[WoolSIlkCotton]

Jason, if you and/or Shmarya are willing to file an Ethics Complaint against Lewin, then more power to you.

I would expect that after about 18 months, you will get a letter from the Board saying that they've declined to consider your complaint.

By all means, if you've got the patience, time and energy, go ahead and give it a shot.

[WoolSIlkCotton]

I had filed an Ethics Complaint against an attorney, with tons of documentation, etc. and it meet all the critieria for the complaint to at least get a hearing at which I could be present.
I received that letter 18 months later saying they won't even consider the mattter.
Hence, my utter disdain for the Attorney Ethics Board.

[Shaul in Monsey]

FGBA, Udaman!

[Jason]

Understandable WSC. I certainly am not surprised at your result and expect the same in this case. Lawyers are loathe to take any ethics actions against any other lawyer, because tomorrow the shoe could be on the other foot.

In NJ, the former head of the State Bar's Ethics Committee is now awaiting sentencing on federal corruption charges. You just can't make this stuff up.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Jason, thanks for that info about NJ!

[WoolSilkCotton]

Jason, thanks for that info about NJ!

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

I don't know if Zev Brenner and/or his producer tried to line up someone with an opposing viewpoint to also appear on the program, but couldn't.

Of course, the people who hear Mr. Lewin's side of the story are more likely to contribute to the fund raising drives to defray legal expenses.

[Office of the Chief Rabbi]

The Two Levels of "legal ethics":
A) It is probably unindictable; or
B) It could get reversed on appeal.

If either of these is possible, it is considered ethical by lawyers.

[DoTeshuvah]

Shmarya -
1 - you need to keep in mind that with all of the flight risk precautions offered [armed guard, video security, millions of dollar & Torah Scrolls as security] for bail. Madoff was able to be placed under home arrest. This is why they are saying "overzealous" and "vindictive,"

2 - what EXACTLY are the lies of Nathan Lewin in this interview? Can you give examples? Such as:
Nat Lewin says @ 13:22 in the interview "BLAH BLAH BLAH".
The "facts" are "BLAH BLAH BLAH" (with supporting links or sources).

Otherwise - you are the liar.

[Shmarya]

2 - what EXACTLY are the lies of Nathan Lewin in this interview? Can you give examples? Such as:
Nat Lewin says @ 13:22 in the interview "BLAH BLAH BLAH".
The "facts" are "BLAH BLAH BLAH" (with supporting links or sources).

Otherwise - you are the liar.

No.

You have an entire website full of documented facts that contradict Lewin. You have videos that contradict him, US government findings against Agriprocessors that contradict him, hundreds of newspaper reports that contradict him.

In short, do your homework or shut up.

[WoolSilkCotton]

DoTeshuvah, please provide exact locations of these Torah Scrolls being put up for security. Are they kosher Sefer Torahs, or old posul ones? Have they been appraised? Please provide copies.
Thank you.

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Yeah, there have been a number of armed guard Bail Packages granted to people awaiting sentencing and/or start of confinement in the New York area. What I don't know about is if this practice is common in the Eighth Circuit. Also unknown to me is there are security companies in Iowa with the capabilities of firms in the New York area.

People also forget that Judge Reade signed a judgement against SMR for the personal guarantee he put up to First Bank Business Capital. If he couldn't pay FBBC, how could he pay for the private armed guard bail package service?

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Yeah, there have been a number of armed guard Bail Packages granted to people awaiting sentencing and/or start of confinement in the New York area. What I don't know about is if this practice is common in the Eighth Circuit. Also unknown to me is there are security companies in Iowa with the capabilities of firms in the New York area.

People also forget that Judge Reade signed a judgement against SMR for the personal guarantee he put up to First Bank Business Capital. If he couldn't pay FBBC, how could he pay for the private armed guard bail package service?

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Previewing a post causes double posting.

[Shaul in Monsey]

1 - you need to keep in mind that with all of the flight risk precautions offered [armed guard, video security, millions of dollar & Torah Scrolls as security] for bail. Madoff was able to be placed under home arrest. This is why they are saying "overzealous" and "vindictive,"

The cases aren't comparable. Madoff secured house arrest because a) he turned himself in, and b) he negotiated it.

Rubashkin is litigating. He's turned down the negotiations. Think for a second. Any convict rich enough could say to a judge theres no reason to put me in prison, just let me stay home and I'll hire guards and won't leave. So no rich person ever needs jail, right?

[DoTeshuvah]

Shmarya - in the short time I've had to view your site - I see more hate & hype than actual "facts". In our 2+ hour posting exchange where I used info from your own "about me" & "my beliefs" sections & even this example of the interview - I asked you - what in THIS INTERVIEW is a lie? You can't provide direct answers, only hate.

WSC - hope you read the book.

[Shmarya]

Process: You can search any issue Lewin mentions on my site and see the facts that refute him.

He is wrong on pretty much everything he says.

Now either do a little research or zip it.

[WoolSilkCotton]

DoTeshuvah, read your Bible. Not the Tanya, the real Bible.

[DoTeshuvah]

WSC - last time I checked the "real Bible" - it says "Love your fellow as yourself" - you neither love your fellow or yourself.

[WoolSilkCotton]

It also says "Thou shalt not steal".

[DoTeshuvah]

SR - it is interesting that visitors to this site have to do "research" in order to prove the lies you claim. Yet they can read this article in 1 quick glance and leave with a bad taste in the mouths.

Why don't you make people do research to find all the ugliness of this site and instead make it easy to find the good in another human being by posting an article like this:

Rabbi’s Kidney Donation Inspires Community
http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/968210/jewish/Rabbi-Gives-Gift-of-Life.htm

[Shmarya]

SR - it is interesting that visitors to this site have to do "research" in order to prove the lies you claim. Yet they can read this article in 1 quick glance and leave with a bad taste in the mouths.

Why don't you make people do research to find all the ugliness of this site and instead make it easy to find the good in another human being by posting an article like this:

Rabbi’s Kidney Donation Inspires Community
http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/968210/jewish/Rabbi-Gives-Gift-of-Life.htm
Posted by: DoTeshuvah | April 22, 2010 at 10:45 PM

You are most definitely an idiot.

You first accused me of never having done any good in this world. After your repeated badgering, I showed you your smear was false. Your response was to demand proof – even though I gave you citations – and continue to accuse me of being a hate monger who has never done any good for anyone.

And then, after I insisted, you actually checked out what I told you and, low and behold, I was telling the truth.

The point is, before you open your big mouth and smear someone, you might want to make sure you actually know what you're talking about.

But you don't learn. You keep hurling accusations. and you accusations are wrong.

Your demand that I post an article about a kidney transplant where a Chabad rabbi was the donor.

But just like always, you didn't do your research.

I posted that article on August 20, 2009 – they day it was published on Chabad.org.

You owe me and my readers an apology.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

[. . . Love your fellow as yourself . . .]

DoTeshuvah-

Sadly, you do not follow, by example, your quoted words . . . nor did/does Sholom. (Birds of a feather . . .)

[WoolSIlkCotton]

The Rubashkins do love themselves.

[WoolSIlkCotton]

The Rubashkins do love themselves.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

WoolSilkCotton-

I agree. However, they missed the part where they need to love others as much. :)

[Menachem]

Funny, since you can't refute Lewins compelling argument, you resort to name-calling. Entertaining.

[WoolSilkCotton]

The only compelling arguments that count are the ones in court.
Rubashkin and his parade of lawyers keep losing in court. So maybe their arguments aren't so compelling, after all.

[WoolSilkCotton]

The only compelling arguments that count are the ones in court.
Rubashkin and his parade of lawyers keep losing in court. So maybe their arguments aren't so compelling, after all.

[Shmarya]

Funny, since you can't refute Lewins compelling argument, you resort to name-calling. Entertaining.

This entire website refutes Lewin many times over. Take each point he makes – wages of workers, for example – and search this site.

What you'll find is Lewin is lying.

[EMES V'YATZIV]

to little too late.

where were all these HAILIGER COMMUNAL LEADERS AND RABBONIM AND NOT TO MENTION THE HOT SHOT LAWYERS LEWIN AND DERSHOWITZ when this case was set for trial? only when they shoot to prominence or notoriety do they suddenly appear in solidarity and offer to 'fight the injustice'

TO LITTLE TO LATE...SHAME ON YOU ALL.

[russische frau]

Has read all in detail, excellent blog! How is SMR and his family any different? Oh yeah, he wears a black hat, so anything goes.

[Chris Evans]

Of course, the people who hear Mr. Lewin's side of the story are more likely to contribute to the fund raising drives to defray legal expenses.GooD Luck