Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel, a founding member of the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy and illegal foreign lobbying charges. The Washington, D.C., judge handed down the sentence on November 20, following his 2023 conviction on all counts. Michel must also forfeit nearly $65 million and serve three years of probation afterward.
Sentencing Details
Federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., imposed the 14-year sentence on Pras Michel on Thursday, November 20, falling short of the maximum 22 years possible. The ruling stems from Michel's 2023 trial where he was convicted on all 10 charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, making foreign and conduit campaign contributions, concealing material facts, and falsifying records.
Background and Charges
Michel faced initial charges in 2019 related to campaign finance violations. Prosecutors alleged he funneled illegal funds from Malaysian financier Jho Low—also known as Low Taek Jho—into Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. Later efforts reportedly aimed to influence Donald Trump's administration to halt a Justice Department probe into Low. During the trial, actor Leonardo DiCaprio testified about Low's involvement in financing the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.
Post-Trial Developments
Following his conviction, Michel sought a retrial, arguing his attorney David Kenner used artificial intelligence to draft the closing argument. Separately, last year Michel sued Fugees bandmate Lauryn Hill over the cancellation of a reunion tour. His new legal team intends to appeal both the convictions and the sentence.
The case highlights intersections between entertainment figures and political finance, with Michel's music career now overshadowed by these legal battles.