ST. LOUIS -- Former state Rep. Nathan Cooper was sentenced Monday to 15 months in a federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

From her St. Louis courtroom, Hamilton also ordered Cooper to pay a $6,000 fine and go on supervised release for two years following his prison term. Hamilton handed down the sentence in a short court hearing attended by dozens of Cooper's family and friends.

Before sentencing, assistant U.S. attorney Jim Crowe said that Cooper's crimes represented "a sophisticated effort by a sophisticated attorney to flaunt the immigration laws of this country."

Cooper was represented in court by attorney Joel Schwartz, who told the judge that Cooper had already lost a great deal as a result of his crimes.

"Mr. Cooper has lost the two things most dear to him, his political career and his legal career," Schwartz said.

Cooper pleaded guilty Aug. 9 to two felony counts of immigration fraud. He admitted setting up dummy companies to hide the true employers of foreign truck drivers, providing false paperwork for drivers, to use that hid the fact that they were permanent full-time employees working on temporary, seasonal worker visas.

The judge ordered the Federal Bureau of Prisons to determine and notify Cooper where and when to report for incarceration.

Cooper emerged for the courtroom choking back tears, unable to speak. He was hugged by several family members and friends.