Pras Michel Receives 14-Year Prison Sentence
A federal judge has sentenced Pras Michel, a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, to 14 years in prison. The sentencing occurred in a Washington D.C. federal court, where Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued the ruling after Michel was convicted of multiple charges, including conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal lobbying.
Details of the Sentencing
The musician, whose full name is Prakazrel Michel, was also mandated to serve three years of probation following his prison term. The prosecution had aimed for a more severe punishment, seeking multiple decades, while Michel’s defense team requested just three years. In response, his lawyers are planning to appeal both the conviction and the sentence.
Criminal Charges Background
- Indicted in 2019 for making illegal contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
- In 2021, charges expanded to include bank fraud, witness tampering, and violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
- Charges stem from his associations with Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, involved in a significant financial scandal.
The government alleges that Michel aided in transferring funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to a campaign aimed at persuading then-President Donald Trump to discontinue an investigation into Jho and a Chinese dissident.
Next Steps for Michel
Michel is expected to surrender to authorities on January 27. His spokesperson, Erica Dumas, expressed gratitude for the support he has received and emphasized that this situation is not the conclusion of his narrative. Michel had also requested a retrial, claiming legal missteps by his attorney involved the use of A.I. in producing closing arguments. However, this request was denied by the court.
Recent Developments
Despite these challenges, Michel had a brief reunion with the Fugees in 2023, though he later distanced himself from collaborations with fellow members Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean.
