Thread: Popular immigration lawyer gets 2 year jail sentence

Popular immigration lawyer gets 2 year jail sentence
RHONY LAIGO

LOS ANGELES — An immigration lawyer, who once run one of the biggest immigration law firms on the West Coast, was sentenced early this week to two years in federal prison for filing fraudulent visa applications, some of which were for their own employees, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office said. A senior associate of the same firm was sentenced to three years probation, plus 200 hours of community service.

Sentenced was Daniel E. Korenberg, 58, of Encino, a name partner and founder of the law firm formerly known as Korenberg, Abramowitz & Feldun (KAF), now operating under the name of Ask Law Group. Aside from the 24 months federal prison sentence, Korenberg was also ordered to a three year supervised release with a condition that he serve an additional six months on home detention with electronic monitoring.

Korenberg was also ordered to pay a fine of $750,000, according to the release. Last fall, Korenberg pleaded guilty to two counts of visa fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

The associate was identified as Steven James Rodriguez, 41, of Thousand Oaks, who will also serve six months of home detention with electronic monitoring. Rodriguez pleaded guilty also last fall to one count of making false statements to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, now known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Both men were sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson.

Korenberg’s partner, Philip Abramowitz, 54, of Agoura Hills, pleaded guilty to two counts of visa fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud last year. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24.

In an interview with BALITA, Supervising Trial Counsel Dane Dauphine said that the State Bar of California will request a summary disbarment (i.e. without a hearing) of all three lawyers. He said Abramowitz resigned from the Bar last Oct. 28, which was transmitted to the Supreme Court. However, he said they will ask the court to decline the resignation and instead impose disbarment after Abramowitz’s sentencing on March 24.

According to Dauphine, the three lawyers have been on an interim suspension, and have not been allowed to practice law. Abramowitz has been on an interim suspension since last July 25, Rodriguez since last Dec. 30 and Korenberg early this year.

Summary disbarment, means the lawyers cannot practice for at least five years, Dauphine said. They can apply to be reinstated, he said, once they proved good moral standing, knowledge of the law and after rehabilitation following their convictions.

Korenberg and Rodriguez were charged in a 33-count indictment handed down in February 2007 following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and the California Employment Development Department, the news release said.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2000 and continuing through at least February 2003, the defendants filed fraudulent employment-based visa petitions on behalf of foreign nationals seeking temporary work authorization or permanent residency in the United States. At least 19 of the aliens who benefited from the visa fraud scheme were KAF employees.

“These sentences are stern reminders about the consequences awaiting those who conspire to compromise the integrity of our nation’s legal immigration system,â€

Ha, I love it when lawyers get caught gaming the legal system. I hope they have a swell time in the lockup! (no, not really).

Thanks Jean. Excellent find.

From now on, any time we hear a lawyer from the AILF, AILA, etc. - saying anything on the subject, we can respond with: "Korenberg and Abramowitz"
I'm also glad to see the 'grunts' (the paralegals, who do most of the real work BTW...) go to jail too.

OK immigration lawyers - sit up, and pay attention.

Aw , A little justice finally . And a little more justice wouldn't hurt either . Sure makes me smile and think "There's Hope Yet ".

One BAD person is a Shame.
Two Bad people are a Law Firm.
Three Bad people are a Congressional Delegation.

Phred said:

Thanks Jean. Excellent find.

I'd say 'you're welcome' but zeezil posted this one.

Thanks Jean. Sorry Zeezil.

Still a good find!