Sentencing for Nathan Cooper delayed

The sentencing of former state Rep. Nathan Cooper on federal immigration fraud charges has been delayed again.

Cooper, who pleaded guilty to two federal felonies on Aug. 9, was originally scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 19. Motions for delay by Cooper's attorney Joel Schwarz pushed the sentencing back first to Oct. 26, then to Nov. 21.

Late last week, assistant U.S. attorney Jim Crowe sought a delay on behalf of the government. U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton granted the request, setting the sentencing for Dec. 10.

Cooper admitted violating provisions of immigration laws established to bring temporary, seasonal workers to the United States. To provide drivers for trucking companies, Cooper purchasing documents allowing foreign workers to enter the United States and setting up shell companies to mask the true employers of the workers.

The truck drivers came to the U.S. for permanent employment using the documents for temporary workers.

Cooper, a Republican, resigned his seat in the Missouri House on Aug. 14. He has been suspended from working as an attorney by the Missouri Supreme Court and the federal courts. He has agreed to pay $50,000 as a forfeiture of his gains from the scheme to bring workers illegally into the United States.

A special election to fill Cooper's seat in the House is set for Feb. 5 in Cape Girardeau.