Former Immigration Lawyer, Richard Kassel, in Otisville Camp prison

Richard Kassel, sitting in green outfit in Otisville

According to the US Attorney SDNY, Richard Kassel, who practiced immigraton law, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for his criminal conviction of  assisting his clients in obtaining green cards  based on false diplomas and degrees.

He plead guilty before the Honorable  U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. He was fined 6,000 and must pay back $187,000 in forfeiture. 

Richard Kassel is 51 years old and will spend the next year in change in a prison camp. Getting arrested, going to prison is extremely stressful and will cause mental trauma. However, at least in Otisville, he will enjoy good meals on the Sabbath, prepared by fellow Jewish inmates. Being that he is in Otisville, where they try to push you out to a halfway house, he will probably be out by February 2017. 

What makes Kassel's story interesting to me is not only is he same age as me but that I was also an immigration lawyer and he followed same path as me to jail.   Someone commented to me that I made green (money)  for green (cards) and ended up in green (uniform).  I was hit a lot harder with a five year sentence and a 2.5 million dollar forfeiture.  This is the flip side of going to law school and becoming a lawyer. You may simply end up with your criminal clients behind bars.  

What can one expect in prison? See my story here....http://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG