PORTLAND, OR (AP) — A former owner of Thai restaurants who fraudulently obtained visas to bring cooks from Thailand, and then compelled them to work long hours with minimal pay has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison.

Paul Jumroon pleaded guilty in February to forced labor, conspiracy to commit visa fraud and filing a false tax return.

Jumroon owned Curry in a Hurry in Lake Oswego, Oregon and Teriyaki Thai in Ridgefield, Washington.

The Judge said she didn’t believe his actions were premeditated but the result of Jumroon’s “ignorance of the United States laws” and his drive to succeed economically.

He apologized in court Tuesday.