Midamar protests federal investigation, warns it may have to close its doors
Midamar Corp., one of the country’s largest producers of Halal products, is objecting a federal investigation into whether the company falsely labeled its meat products as processed in compliance with Islamic law. The company said in federal court documents that investigators have seized its main bank account and business records under search warrants executed last month. The company warned that without access to credit needed to maintain its operation, it might have to close its doors, reports the Associated Press.
A judge last week upheld the government’s seizure of $454,000 in bank funds and rejected the company’s request to return the money. No criminal or civil charges have been filed, and U.S. District Judge Linda Reade ruled that the government’s affidavit supporting its search warrant can remain secret so as not to ‘‘compromise an ongoing investigation.’’ The U.S. attorney’s office declined comment Monday on the investigation, which involves the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Internal Revenue Service.