None of them showed up in court, either, as…
…the AP reports:
Agriprocessors officials plead not guilty
Associated Press - September 17, 2008 3:24 PM ET
WAUKON, Iowa (AP) - Agriprocessors officials have pleaded not guilty to thousands of charges of child labor law violations.
None of the defendants appeared in person on Wednesday in Allamakee County District Court, instead entering written pleas.
The hearing was the initial appearance for six defendants: the plant's owner, Aaron Rubashkin; former plant manager Sholom Rubashkin; the plant's human resources manager, Elizabeth Billmeyer; and Laura Althouse and Karina Freund, who are management employees in the human resources division. Agriprocessors, Inc. also is charged in the case.
Because the charges are misdemeanors, the defendants are allowed to waive their right to a court appearance. The next step will be setting a date for trial.