Sentencing of Grammy-Winning Rapper for Illegal Donations
Prakasler “Plus” Michel, a Grammy-winning rapper from The Fugees, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday due to his involvement in illegally channeling foreign donations to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
At 52, Michel opted not to speak before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kohler-Kottery delivered the verdict.
In April 2023, a jury found him guilty on ten counts, including conspiracy and failing to register as an agent of a foreign government. The D.C. trial saw notable testimonies from figures like actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Prosecutors from the Justice Department indicated that sentencing guidelines suggested a life sentence for Michel, arguing that he had “betrayed his country for money” and “relentlessly lied to carry out his plan.”
They emphasized the seriousness of his actions, stating, “His sentence should reflect the scope and depth of his crimes, his indifference to the danger to his homeland, and the magnitude of his greed.”
Michel’s defense attorney, Peter Seidenberg, remarked that the 14-year term was “totally disproportionate” to what Michel did. Michel intends to appeal both the conviction and sentence, according to his lawyer.
Seidenberg had proposed a much lighter sentence of three years. His legal team argued that the punishment was excessively harsh, noting that life sentences are typically reserved for violent offenders and leaders of drug cartels.
“The government’s stance raises questions about fairness, showing how easily sentencing guidelines can sometimes lead to absurd outcomes,” they stated.
Michel, who was born in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrant parents, co-founded the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The hip-hop group achieved considerable success, winning two Grammy Awards and selling millions of albums.
He reportedly received over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jaw, known as Jho Low, and funneled portions of that money into the Obama campaign through intermediaries.
Moreover, prosecutors contended that Michel attempted to obstruct the Justice Department’s investigation, tampered with witnesses, and lied during the trial.
Low, who was involved in financing the film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” is currently a fugitive but claims he is innocent.
Michel’s lawyers argued that Low’s intention behind the donations was not to influence policies but merely to secure a photo with then-President Obama.
In August 2024, a judge dismissed Michel’s appeal for a new trial, citing the role of an AI-generated program used by the defense attorney during closing arguments. The judge concluded that this, along with other issues raised, did not constitute a serious injustice.
