The tight-knit religious Lubavitch community in Crown Heights celebrated Thursday as Sholom Rubashkin walked down the streets a free man.

President Donald Trump commuted the sentence for Rubashkin, who served more than eight years after submitting fake invoices from the Iowa headquarters of his kosher meat plant. Rubashkin was sentenced to 27 years for money laundering. His supporters felt the sentence was too harsh.

Rubashkin grew up in Crown Heights and those who knew the family say they were known for giving back to the community.

"He was always giving," said Naftali Berkowitz. "His brother also had special programs for widows. They were always out to help out."

The president received bipartisan support for a review of the case before commuting the sentence.