Grammy-winning rapper from the Fugees, Prakazrel “Pras” Michel has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for unlawfully directing millions of dollars in foreign donations to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
The 52-year-old Michel did not speak in court before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued the sentence. In April 2023, a federal jury found him guilty on 10 charges, including conspiracy and serving as an unregistered agent for a foreign government.
The trial, which took place in Washington, D.C., included testimonies from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Prosecutors contended that federal sentencing guidelines could have warranted a life sentence, accusing Michel of betraying his country for personal profit and lying “unapologetically and unrelentingly” to carry out his plan.
They stated, “His sentence should reflect the extent and seriousness of his crimes, his disregard for the risks to his country, and the scale of his greed.” Michel’s defense attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, criticized the 14-year sentence as “completely disproportionate” and announced plans to appeal.
Zeidenberg had suggested a three-year sentence, labeling a life term as “absurdly high” and pointing out that such severe penalties are usually reserved for deadly terrorists or drug cartel leaders.
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Michel, who hails from Brooklyn and is of Haitian descent, co-founded the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The group sold tens of millions of albums and earned two Grammy Awards. Prosecutors claimed that Michel received over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and funneled parts of it through straw donors to support Obama’s campaign.
He also attempted to obstruct the Justice Department’s investigation into Low, tampered with witnesses, and committed perjury during the trial.
Michel’s lawyers argued that Low’s contributions were solely intended to secure a photo with Obama, not to sway policy. In August 2024, a request for a new trial, partly based on the defense’s use of generative AI during closing arguments, was denied, with the court ruling that no significant miscarriage of justice had occurred.
