Mo. Rep. Cooper admits to worker visa fraud
St. Louis Business Journal - 11:18 AM CDT Thursday, August 9, 2007
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... ily53.html

Missouri Rep. Nathan Cooper of Cape Girardeau, Mo., pleaded guilty to fraud charges involving his illegal scheme to obtain temporary worker visas for his clients in the trucking business, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Reap said Thursday.

As an attorney in Cape Girardeau specializing in immigration law, Cooper represented employers in applications for visas under the H2B visa program. The H2B visa program allows for the granting of a fixed number of visas for seasonal workers. Companies with a seasonal rush who are unable to satisfy their hiring needs at the prevailing wage from native workers in their area may apply to sponsor temporary immigrant workers to fill this need.

Cooper developed a scheme to convince the government to issue improper visas. In the plea agreement, Cooper admitted to the fraudulent creation of shell companies in the name of which Cooper would apply for visa to be used for other companies, to issuing bogus letters intended to deceive law enforcement as to the immigration status of his client's workers, and to the outright purchase of visas from other contacts to be illegally transferred to his client's workers.

In 2004 and 2005 alone, the Cooper took in at least $50,000 in legal fees from clients in the trucking industry using these techniques.

Cooper, 33, pleaded guilty to one felony count of visa fraud and one felony count of making a false statement to the Department of Labor. He now faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $500,000. Additionally, as part of his plea, Cooper agrees to voluntarily terminate his participation as an agent or representative of any employer with respect to any matter concerning the Department of Labor's Foreign Certification programs.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 19.