fraudulent scheme to import H-2B truckers
fraudulent scheme to import H-2B truckers
Date: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:04 AM
<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1765 -- 10/02/2007 >>>>>
This story is as weird as it gets. I couldn't make this one up even if I
tried.
A State Representative from Missouri named Nathan Cooper pleaded guilty to H-
2B visa fraud. He isn't just any politician though -- he was a practicing
immigration attorney (AILA perhaps?). His scheme involved obtaining fraudulent
H-2B work visas for hundreds of New Zealanders to come to the U.S. to drive
trucks. Among other things, he got visas for fake trucking companies with
names like "Speedy Express" and "Retail Trucking".
In case you are wondering why Cooper or anybody else would think of importing
truckers from New Zealand, a little searching the Wikipedia yields a possible
answer. New Zealand has a strange counter-culture of hippies and gypsies
called "housetruckers". They are a nomadic labor pool that would be sure to
make U.S. trucking companies drool.
To read more about New Zealand houstruckers go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housetrucker
After reading that article you will welcome the Mexican NAFTA truckers with
open arms!
http://www.snuffledopple.com/images/23156n.jpg
http://www.pecos.net/news/images2002/truck2.jpg
Seriously though folks, there are websites out there that recruit New
Zealanders for U.S. trucking jobs. For instance, check out this one:
http://www.truckersforusa.com/drivers_wanted.html
Perhaps it's coincidence, but the website says they have offices in Missouri.
Right there on that web page it says:
Q. Who are we?
A. We have been recruiting drivers for US companies since 1999.
We have now placed over 450 drivers at seven trucking companies
in 2001. We are incorporated in the USA, and operate from
New Zealand.
The website has the following disclaimer:
This is 100% legal, and you receive your work visa before leaving
home. It is now impossible to obtain a Commercial Drivers License
to drive trucks in America without a work visa.
Cooper could get 15 years in the pokey for his unlawful behavior. According to
Cooper, he was merely a bit overzealous in helping trucking companies to
ensure that they had "an adequate workforce." By adequate he probably meant
cheap!
The U.S. attorney's office agrees with Cooper -- check out this classic
shortage shouting:
According to the U.S. attorney's office, prospective clients in
the trucking business reported to Cooper that they had chronic
shortages of workers.
You can watch a short video report of this story by going to the KSDK story.
Material included below
http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=126458
Missouri Lawmaker Pleads Guilty To Visa Fraud
http://www.kfvs12.com/global/story.asp?s=6909517&ClientType=Printable
Cape State Representative Pleads Guilty to Visa Fraud Charges
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2007/Sep07/090307/090607-03.htm
Missouri lawmaker faces prison
http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/90600.htm
Missouri State Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in Visa Fraud Case
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
created: 8/9/2007 10:40:31 AM
updated: 8/9/2007 4:42:18 PM
(KSDK) - State Representative Nathan Cooper entered a courtroom Thursday and
pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme to illegally get visas for workers.
Cooper, who represents the Cape Girardeau area, is also an immigration lawyer.
He took advantage of a temporary visa program to help clients in the trucking
business.
The program, called H2B, allows companies who need seasonal workers, and can't
find enough locally, to get temporary work visas so they can hire workers who
are not U.S. citizens. Prosecutors say the trucking company didn't need
seasonal workers, but Cooper ignored the law and convinced a government agency
to issue the visas anyway.
Cooper took in $50,000 in legal fees over a two year period from clients in
the trucking industry to obtain the illicit visas.
Cooper admitted creating shell companies to acquire the visas, which would be
used for his trucking company clients. He also admitted he issued bogus
letters to government agencies, and illegally sold the visas to other
companies.
In a released statement, Gordon Heddell, the Inspector General of the U.S.
Department of Labor., said, "The Foreign Labor Certification Program is
designed to ensure that foreign workers, who are admitted into the United
States, do not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages, and working
conditions of U.S. workers. This guilty plea brings to justice an individual,
currently serving as state representative and immigration attorney, who
defrauded the program to facilitate the entry of workers for personal gain."
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. The maximum
sentence would be 15 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
Cooper will be sentenced in October.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.kfvs12.com/global/story.asp?s=6909517&ClientType=Printable
Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape State Representative Pleads Guilty to Visa Fraud Charges
Aug 10, 2007 04:26 PM MST
Nathan Cooper
Cape State Representative Pleads Guilty to Visa Fraud Charges
By: Christy Hendricks & Associated Press
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Cape Girardeau State Representative Nathan Cooper pleads
guilty to fraud charges involving an illegal scheme to obtain temporary worker
visas for his clients in a trucking business.
Cooper, a Republican from Cape Girardeau, is an attorney specializing in
immigration law. Cooper says he will step down and must now give up his law
license.
Cooper, 33, issued a prepared statement Thursday regarding the charges.
"The events of earlier today are about my overzealous representation of legal
clients in regards to ensuring they had an adequate workforce. I deeply
regret my actions and apologize to the people of Cape Girardeau for how my
legal practice has impacted my ability to serve. In no way was this related
to my campaign or to my official office and duties. My resignation from the
Missouri House of Representative will be forthcoming."
Cape Girardeau Republican leaders say the Cooper development has taken them by
surprise. "The most important thing for the committee right now is to find a
qualified candidate to represent our district in the Special Election that
will be called by the Governor," said Holly Lintner, chairman of the 158th
Legislative Committee.
According to the federal government, Cooper took $50,000 in 2004 and 2005 in
legal fees from clients in the trucking industry.
Cooper's practice included specialized work with immigration law. Federal law
permits companies facing a seasonal rush to hire immigrant drivers temporarily
but only if no American workers can be found. The labor department says Cooper
came up with a scheme to skirt the H2B visa program.
H2B visas are commonly used for workers in the hospitality and construction
industries.
According to the U.S. attorney's office, prospective clients in the trucking
business reported to Cooper that they had chronic shortages of workers. The
trucking companies reportedly did not have seasonal needs required under the
H2B visa program to obtain the visas. Instead, their businesses were steady
all year round so they were not appropriate candidates for participation in
the H2B visa program.
Cooper admitted to creating fake companies and using the names to apply for
visas 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.
One charge against Cooper alleges he made up a name of a trucking company
calling it Retail Trucking LLC and sought a visa for someone named "Vernon
Vercoe", a seasonal driver. In reality, Retail Trucking is not an active
business and the visa was actually sought for a driver who worked year round
at Pullen Brothers, Inc in Sikeston. Vernon Vercoe did not exist either.
Cooper also allegedly sought visas for 110 unnamed aliens under the name
Speedy Express LLC which turned out to be a false business as well.
As part of the plea agreement and under federal criminal forfeiture law,
Cooper must forfeit the $50,000 in legal proceeds he received in 2004 and
2005.
Cooper pleaded guilty to one felony count of visa fraud and one felony count
of making a false statement to the Department of Labor. He faces a maximum of
15 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. He also agreed 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.
His sentencing is set for October 19, 2007.
Cooper's attorney, Joel Schwartz issued a prepared statement Thursday.
"Nathan Cooper's plea today was not connected to his official or political
activities. Nathan's legal practice involved representing clients by helping
them navigate through complicated rules and complex regulations that attorneys
themselves disagree upon their meaning. Nathan crossed the line in his
representation of a small number of these clients and will abide by whatever
sentence the Court imposes."
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt also issued a statement Thursday saying the state
will continue to crack down on illegal immigration. "I strongly commend
United States Attorney Catherine Hanaway and her professional staff for highly
committed and vigorous enforcement of the federal laws against immigration
fraud. Because of Mr. Cooper's necessary resignation for serious criminal
misconduct, I will take the appropriate steps to set a special election to
ensure representation for the people of the district."
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http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2007/Sep07/090307/090607-03.htm
September 6, 2007 Missouri lawmaker faces prison, fines for trucker visa fraud
Sentencing has been set for Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court for the Western
District of Missouri for a state lawmaker who illegally obtained work visas
for hundreds of New Zealand immigrants so they could drive for trucking
companies in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Reap said that state Rep. Nathan Cooper,
R-Cape Girardeau, now faces up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.
Cooper pleaded guilty in August.
According to the U.S. Attorney s Office in St. Louis, Cooper fraudulently
obtained H2B temporary visas for a number of trucking companies that were his
clients. Cooper is an immigration attorney as well as state lawmaker.
According to news sources, Cooper, who is free on bond, recently asked for his
passport to be returned and if he could take a business trip to the
Philippines. The U.S. Attorney s Office told him no.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/90600.htm
Missouri State Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in Visa Fraud Case
U.S. Department of Justice
St. Louis, MO
August 9, 2007
Catherine L. Hanaway
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Missouri
State Representative From Cape Girardeau Pleads Guilty To Visa Fraud Charges
Nathan Cooper, State Representative in Cape Girardeau, and a Cape Girardeau
attorney specializing in immigration law, has pled guilty to fraud charges
involving his illegal scheme to obtain temporary worker visas for his clients
in the trucking business, First Assistant United States Attorney Michael Reap
announced today.
Cooper s practice included specialized work with immigration law, and he
represented a number of employers in applications for visas under the H2B visa
program. This program is administered through the State of Missouri, as well
as the United States Department of Labor, the Office of Citizenship and
Immigration Services, and the Department of State. 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. For example, H2B visas have
been validly awarded to employers in the construction and hospitality
industries to allow them to sponsor immigrant workers to help in the seasonal
rush of business that affects these industries.
In the course of his practice, Cooper became familiar with the H2B visa
program. At the same time, prospective clients in the trucking business
reported to him that they had chronic shortages of workers. These trucking
companies did not have seasonal needs envisioned within the H2B visa program.
Instead, their businesses were steady all year round so they were not
appropriate candidates for participation in the H2B visa program.
Cooper developed a scheme to convince the government to issue improper visas
and otherwise to impede the lawful operation of the H2B visa program in a
number of ways. 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 illegal 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. As part of the plea,
Cooper agreed to forfeit these illegal proceeds under the federal criminal
forfeiture laws.
"Enforcement of our immigration laws is more important today than ever
before," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Reap. "We will continue to
work with the federal agencies responsible for controlling who gets into the
country and we will aggressively pursue cases against those who attempt to
bring people into the country illegally."
"The Foreign Labor Certification Program is designed to ensure that foreign
workers, who are admitted into the United States, do not adversely affect the
job opportunities, wages, and working conditions of U.S. workers," said Gordon
Heddell, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. "This guilty plea brings
to justice an individual, currently serving as state representative and
immigration attorney, who defrauded the program to facilitate the entry of
workers for personal gain. My office will continue to work with other law
enforcement agencies to aggressively investigate schemes that compromise the
integrity of DOL programs."
"Visa fraud crimes potentially threaten the national security of the United
States. The U.S. visa is one of the most coveted travel documents in the world
and foreign nationals who have acquired visas fraudulently to enter the United
States could perpetrate further illegal acts," said Gregory B.
Starr, Director of the U.S. State Department s Diplomatic Security Service.
"The FBI aggressively pursues as a priority matter public corruption at all
levels, and will continue to contribute resources to uncover illegal
activities such as Cooper has admitted in his plea today," added Roland
Corvington, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, St. Louis.
Cooper, 33, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, pled 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 fifteen 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 has been set for October 19, 2007.
Reap commended the work on the case by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of
the Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic P8
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