A name partner and an attorney at one of the West Coast’s largest immigration law firms were sentenced today for filing fraudulent employment visa applications on behalf of foreign nationals, including more than a dozen of the law firm’s own workers.

Daniel E. Korenberg, 58, of Encino, a name partner and founder of the law firm formerly known as Korenberg, Abramowitz & Feldun (KAF), was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release with a condition that Korenberg serve an additional 6 months in home detention with electronic monitoring, and a fine of $750,000. Korenberg pleaded guilty last fall to two counts of visa fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

A second attorney, Steven James Rodriguez, 41, of Thousand Oaks, a senior associate at KAF, was sentenced to three years probation with the condition that Rodriguez serve 6 months of home detention with electronic monitoring and perform 200 hours of community service. Rodriguez pleaded guilty last fall to one count of making false statements to federal agents.

Both men were sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson.

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), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and the California Employment Development Department. 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 benefitted 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,” said Jennifer Silliman, deputy special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Los Angeles. “Disturbingly, the defendants in this case used their expertise in immigration law not for the greater good, but to undermine the system and enrich themselves.