Fugees’ Pras Michel Sentenced To 14 Years For Funneling Illegal Foreign Funds In Obama’s Campaign.

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a founding member of the Fugees, was sentenced Thursday to 14 years in federal prison for running an international scheme that funneled millions in illegal foreign funds into Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

According to the Justice Department, Michel accepted $120 million from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, who sought political influence in the U.S. Michel channeled part of the money through roughly 20 straw donors who contributed to Obama’s campaign on Low’s behalf.

In 2018, Michel became involved in efforts to persuade the Trump administration and Justice Department to drop embezzlement investigations into Low. He also pushed for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. to advance China’s interests.

Michel was convicted in April 2023 on 10 federal charges, including money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and violating campaign finance laws. A judge ordered him to forfeit nearly $65 million tied to the schemes.

Michel’s attorney argued the evidence did not support the conviction and called the 14-year sentence “completely disproportional,” seeking a three-year term instead. Federal prosecutors, however, sought a life sentence, citing repeated lies, witness interference, and perjury.

Michel’s legal saga began in 2017, with formal charges filed in 2019. His 2023 trial featured testimony from figures including Leonardo DiCaprio, who once considered Low a legitimate businessman. Michel later requested a new trial, claiming his attorney used AI for an ineffective closing argument, but the request was denied. His spokeswoman said he remains grateful for supporters standing by him.

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