Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel, a founding member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a billion-dollar Malaysian corruption scandal that illegally funnelled money into US political campaigns.
The 52-year-old rapper was convicted in April 2023 on 10 counts, including money laundering, campaign finance violations, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. The trial in Washington DC featured testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US attorney general Jeff Sessions.
Prosecutors said Michel helped Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho channel stolen funds from the 1MDB state investment fund into Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign through shell companies. Low, now a fugitive, allegedly stole billions to invest in luxury real estate, art, and Hollywood films.
Michel's defence attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, called the sentence 'completely disproportionate' and said Michel would appeal. The defence had requested a three-year term, arguing that a life sentence, as recommended by guidelines, was excessive and typically reserved for terrorists and drug cartel leaders.
Michel, originally from Brooklyn, rose to fame with the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, winning two Grammys and selling millions of albums in the 1990s. In August 2024, a judge rejected his request for a new trial, which cited his lawyer's use of AI in closing arguments, ruling no serious miscarriage of justice occurred.
