Pras Michel, a member of the renowned New Jersey hip-hop group the Fugees, received a 14-year prison sentence following his conviction on charges of conspiracy and illegal foreign lobbying. The verdict emerged from a trial earlier this year that saw high-profile testimony, including that from actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and has drawn attention due to plans for a documentary by Mark Wahlberg.
A jury found that Pras, who is known simply as Pras, had funneled millions of dollars from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, into Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign through the use of straw donors. Additionally, he was charged with attempts to obstruct a Justice Department investigation into Low and to sway an extradition case on behalf of China without proper registration as a foreign agent. Pras’s plea for a retrial was denied; he alleged that his attorney relied on artificial intelligence to craft a flawed closing argument.
Initially facing a maximum sentence of 22 years, Pras had indicated previously that he would not join any future Fugees reunions. After a public falling out that included a diss track aimed at former bandmate Lauryn Hill, he also filed a fraud lawsuit against her regarding a planned Fugees tour that ultimately did not take place.
The outcome of this case highlights the complexities of political financing and the legal repercussions that can ensue from such activities, while also underscoring the ongoing narrative of celebrity and influence in the world of politics.