Fugees Star Sentenced in High-Profile Campaign Finance Case
Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group The Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a major campaign finance scandal. The conviction centres on his illegal channeling of millions of dollars from foreign sources into former President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.
The Trial and Key Testimonies
The sentencing was delivered on Thursday 20 November 2025 by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C. Michel, who is 52, chose not to speak to the court before learning his fate. This follows his conviction in April 2023, where a federal jury found him guilty on 10 criminal counts. These charges included conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
The high-profile trial featured testimonies from several notable figures, including Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Their appearances underscored the case's significance and its connections to powerful circles in both entertainment and politics.
Clashing Arguments in Court
Justice Department prosecutors had pushed for an exceptionally severe punishment, arguing that federal guidelines could even justify a life sentence. They portrayed Michel as a man who “betrayed his country for money” and carried out his schemes through relentless lies. In their view, the sentence needed to reflect the “breadth and depth of his crimes” and the magnitude of his greed.
In stark contrast, Michel's defence team, led by attorney Peter Zeidenberg, argued that a 14-year term was “completely disproportionate to the offense.” They had recommended a mere three-year prison term, criticising the prosecution's stance as absurdly high and comparable to punishments reserved for terrorists or cartel leaders. Zeidenberg confirmed that Michel will appeal both his conviction and the sentence.
