Cooper's sentence

Former state representative Nathan Cooper was sentenced last week to 15 months in prison and a $6,000 fine for immigration fraud. He had to forfeit $50,000 in legal fees and lost his license to practice law.

Cooper, a former immigration lawyer, set up shell companies to hide the true employers of foreign truck drivers. Those drivers, many from Australia or New Zealand, were brought to the U.S. after Cooper obtained state certification of the need for foreign workers to take care of a seasonal surge in business. Those workers actually took permanent employment with companies that had little seasonal variation.

Cooper also admitted purchasing visa approvals for seasonal workers in the hospitality industry and using the documents to provide work to the truck drivers.

Did the punishment fit the crime? It all depends on whom you ask. Some say that because Cooper lost his political and law career that he, in effect, will serve a lifetime sentence for his actions. Others believe that because he was a lawyer and public servant that he should have been punished more severely, especially because immigration laws are in place partly for national security.

The recommended sentence for such crimes is 30 to 37 months. It's unclear whether many letters written on Cooper's behalf swayed the judge. Regardless, this was a sad day in Missouri politics. Cooper is a bright man who had a bright future. He disappointed many people with his illegal schemes. We can only hope that he learns from this situation and finds a way to pick himself up again once his sentence is completed.