Grammy-winning artist Pras Michel, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group The Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his central role in a sprawling illegal foreign lobbying and influence scheme.
The Sentence and Financial Penalties
The 53-year-old musician received his formal sentence on Thursday in a Washington, D.C. federal court. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly handed down the lengthy prison term and also ordered Michel to serve three years of supervised release after completing his incarceration.
In a significant financial blow, Michel has been instructed to forfeit $64 million, which prosecutors have directly linked to the extensive influence operation. This scheme was allegedly orchestrated to pressure American officials into dropping investigations into the fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low.
A Profound Betrayal for Money
Federal prosecutors successfully argued for a harsh sentence, characterising Michel's actions as a profound breach of national trust. They contended that he had betrayed his country for money, with his crimes encompassing multiple counts of conspiracy, fraud, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
Michel was ultimately convicted last year on all 10 felony counts he faced. Prosecutors detailed how he acted as a covert middleman for Jho Low, the alleged mastermind behind the massive 1MDB embezzlement scandal. Michel was found to have funneled millions into lobbying efforts designed to shape U.S. policy to benefit Low and the Chinese government.
High-Profile Connections and an Appeal
The case captivated public attention due to its bizarre cast of characters, which included Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, who provided testimony, and touched upon the administrations of both Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Michel was accused of secretly channeling foreign funds into Obama's 2012 presidential campaign and of attempting to influence officials during the Trump era.
In response to the ruling, Michel's spokeswoman, Erica Dumas, released a statement expressing his gratitude for the support he has received and his confidence in facing the future. His legal team has confirmed they will appeal both his conviction and the sentence.
Michel, who rose to global fame in the 1990s with The Fugees and hits like Killing Me Softly, is scheduled to surrender to authorities on January 27. In recent months, he had publicly appealed to former President Donald Trump for clemency, though any potential pardon remains uncertain.
