In Runge Case, Iowa Moves Trial So Defendant Can Observe Sukkot

Pre-trial hearing originally scheduled for Rosh Hashana, was also moved.

In Runge case, Iowa relents for Rosh Hashanah
Larry Hankin • Intermountain Jewish News

For Wendy Weiner Runge, the new Jewish year 5771 started out better than the old year 5770 ended. She was able to spend Rosh Hashanah with her family and friends at her home and synagogue in Minneapolis rather than in a Des Moines courtroom, miles from the nearest synagogue or kosher facility.

At the last minute, a pretrial hearing that had been scheduled for the first day of Rosh Hashanah was changed at the behest of Runge and her attorney.

Runge is the 45-year-old filmmaker who availed herself of generous tax credits offered by the now-defunct Iowa Film Office as incentives to make films in that state. She and two colleagues were the only filmmakers out of 25 companies to be charged with fraud.

Runge insists that every tax credit that she claimed was properly submitted to and approved by the Iowa Film Office.

During a deposition, Runge was offended by a deputy attorney general who asked her about the Rubashkin case in Iowa, implying that he was prejudging her case by associating her with the convicted Rubashkin, and implying that accused Jews are guilty before being proven innocent.

When interviewed in July by the Intermountain Jewish News, Deputy Attorney General Thomas H. Miller acknowledged bringing up Rubashkin’s company Agriprocessors to Runge, but denied mentioning Sholom Rubashkin by name.

That incident was followed by the judge’s scheduling of a pretrial hearing on Rosh Hashanah, and his refusal to reschedule it despite repeated requests from Runge and her attorney Matt Whitaker.

Finally, Runge, working through her rabbi and her attorney, spelled out what would be needed for her, as an observant Jewish woman, to attend the hearing on Rosh Hashanah.

She explained that she would not be able to go through a metal detector at the courthouse, as doing so would set off lights, a violation of holiday and Shabbat laws. In that case, she would need to be strip searched, but that would require female security personnel. She would also have to housed at a hotel in walking distance of the courthouse, and would not be able to utilize an electronic key card for the hotel room.

Runge evidently made her point, and the pretrial hearing was not held on Rosh Hashanah.

In another development, which Runge views as encouraging, the trial — which had been scheduled for Sukkot — has been postponed until Jan. 10, 2011. This gives Runge and her attorney more time to “chip [the state’s case] away, fact by fact.”

Also, the trial will take place after election day, which Runge also views as positive, as she suspects political motivation behind the case against her.
Home for Rosh Hashanah, Wendy Weiner Runge was reminded that there is a big difference between the justice system in Iowa, which she says is “so broken,” and the justice system in Judaism.

“This time of year, we go directly to the Judge” with no one or nothing in between.

This article reads more like a press release than a news report.

Runge did things like charge the state exorbitant prices many times higher than retail for things like push brooms. She says this is normal business practice for filmmakers and reflects savings over renting these items. The state strongly disagrees.

Iowa has few Jews and, apart for Sholom Rubashkin and his associates, has few Jewish criminals.

It is highly unlikely the judge was at all familiar with the requirements of Orthodox Jewish law before Runge's case and, as I've said before, the judge's reaction could have had as much to do with the presentation of information to him by Runge and her attorney than anything else.

Even so, as I said two months ago it would do, the court moved the hearing and rescheduled the trial.

I know Runge and I have no reason based on that knowledge to believe she is guilty.

But I think Runge may be playing the antisemitism card in order to gain sympathy and support. And the haredi owned and controlled Intermountain Jewish News appears to be helping her do that.

Comments

[Isa]

What was done is to separate the defendants. So now there will be three trials. The defense will be to blame somebody else.
I think there are more than one issue.
Over-inflation of actual costs and trying to get tax credits for a film(s) whose script(s) has not been written yet and etc.

Her daddy will be able to afford the best lawyer(s)

[Menachem Mendel lll]

She looks like a emes ganef :)

[Menachem Mendel lll]

"Runge may be playing the antisemitism card"

To bad for this zaftig yiddish mamaleh who before the courts that her skin is not black.

She could then up the anti and play the "N Word" card followed by "if the glove don't fit you have to acquit" shtick.

And for desert the Rodney King "Can't we all just get along" line.

Mr. Moshiach, I hope you are aware of what you "children" are up to buring the candle at both ends.

[harold]

But I think Runge may be playing the antisemitism card in order to gain sympathy and support

Hey, IF it works for her THEN more power to her. Can't blame the lady then (looking at it from HER point of view).

[Hometown Postville]

Well, there's no court on Christmas or Easter either.

[effie]

Though she has the right to attend pretrial hearings, it's not necessary. Her attys could appear without her. Sounds like she is trying to delay her trial as long as possible.

[anon]

I am no attorney but funneling contributions for your defense fund thru your Rabbi's Discretionary Fund to make them Tax Deductable is not kosher

[Menachem Mendel lll]

@anon

You are 100% correct!

It's not kosher but Kosher style.

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

The Des Moines Register also ran a story back in June with a few more details:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100611/
NEWS/6110351/-1/SPORTS09/New-charges-filed-in-film-probe

Is it true that the production company refused to provide the State of Iowa with documentation of the expenses claimed, after Iowa started auditing a number of film companies?

[Maskil]

Well, there's no court on Christmas or Easter either.

WTF? In the US? Why would Federal law shut down courtrooms and prevent Jews and secular Christians from having their legal matters processed on certain days just because of a few religious fundamentalists. What's next? A Vatican ordained federal government? While most secular americans are sleeping the government is rapidly growing into a theocracy. Say goodbye to your democratic rights and get ready to kneel and kiss the Pope's ring.

[Menachem Mendel lll]

Best we hope for a positive instead of a negative outcome and what I mean by that is this Fat Faced Frummie Jewess (FFFJ) will end up saving alot of money eating prepared jail fress instead of going on a Jenny Craig or Slim fast diet.

With the money saved the FFFJ Criminal element (to be) can give that money to tzdakah where it belongs and not buy herself another Vira Wang Shyteleh to show off in.

MOSCHIACH!

[Kumar]

they'll be doing her

[Moshe aron kestenbaum, Williamsburg ODA]

She is a good looking chick

[straight shooter]

Having know Wendy for many years, we find she is morally corrupt & this defense of anti-semitism goes to prove our point & asking for donations for her defense, running it through the synagogue, is yet another example. Anti-semitism has nothing to do with her case which should be tried in a court of law.

[WoolSilkCotton]

I remember when Leona Helmsley was on trial, and Dershowitz asked that she have the week of Passover off.

[Sarah]

Menachem Mendel III: 'what I mean by that is this Fat Faced Frummie Jewess (FFFJ) will end up saving alot of money eating prepared jail fress instead of going on a Jenny Craig or Slim fast diet.'

How the mighty are fallen.