Pras Michel Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Campaign Contributions

U.S. District Judge Colleen Koller Kotelly handed down a 14-year prison sentence to Prakazler “Pras” Michel, a Grammy Award-winning rapper from the Fugees, due to illegal campaign contributions.

This sentencing came after Michel was convicted of illegally channeling millions from foreign entities to support Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. A federal jury found him guilty on ten counts in April 2023, which included conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Notably, Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions provided testimony during the trial.

It was reported that Michel received over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jaw, popularly known as “Jho Low,” and then funneled these funds to the Obama campaign via straw donors.

At the peak of his career, Michel soared to fame with the Fugees, whose albums sold tens of millions of copies and earned them two Grammy Awards. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, after his parents emigrated from Haiti.

Prosecutors accused Michel—who co-founded the Fugees alongside childhood friends Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean—of attempting to obstruct a Justice Department inquiry regarding Low. They also alleged witness tampering and perjury during his trial.

Prosecutors are pushing for a life sentence, arguing that Michel “betrayed his country for money,” and acted with “unapologetic and relentless” deceit throughout his scheme. They expressed that his sentence should correspond to the gravity of his crimes and disregard for his homeland’s safety.

Michel’s defense attorney, Peter Seidenberg, requested a mere three-year sentence, contending that the 14-year term was “vastly disproportionate” to the offenses committed. They indicated plans to appeal the conviction and the sentence.

Meanwhile, Low is currently evading authorities and is suspected to be in China. He remains a significant financier for the film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” starring DiCaprio, and maintains his claim of innocence.

Michel’s legal team stated that Low’s intention in providing the funds wasn’t to pursue any specific policy goals but rather to secure a photo opportunity with then-President Obama.

Interestingly, Michel chose not to address the court during his sentencing.