Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, Grammy-winning rapper and founding member of the legendary hip-hop group the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally directing foreign funds into former US President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
Michel, 52, chose not to speak in court before US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly delivered the sentence.
The ruling follows his April 2023 conviction on 10 federal charges, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The high-profile trial featured testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Prosecution vs. Defence
Justice Department prosecutors argued that federal guidelines called for a life sentence, accusing Michel of “betraying his country for money” and lying repeatedly to sustain the scheme. They urged the court to impose a punishment that reflected “the magnitude of his greed.”
Michel’s attorney Peter Zeidenberg called the 14-year term “completely disproportionate,” saying the defence will appeal both the conviction and the sentence. The defence had recommended a three-year sentence, arguing that treating Michel like a violent criminal or cartel leader would be “absurd.”
How the Scheme Worked
According to prosecutors, Michel received more than $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho — known as Jho Low — and funneled part of that money into Obama’s campaign through straw donors. The government also accused Michel of trying to halt a DOJ investigation into Low, tampering with witnesses, and lying under oath.
Low, a key financier behind the film “The Wolf of Wall Street,” remains a fugitive living in China but denies the allegations. Michel’s attorneys argued Low’s goal was simply to secure a photo with Obama, not to influence US policy.
AI Controversy in the Case
In 2024, Michel’s request for a new trial was rejected after he argued that his former lawyer had improperly used a generative AI tool to help write closing arguments. The judge ruled that the alleged mistakes did not amount to a miscarriage of justice.
A Fall From Fame
Michel, born in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrants, rose to global fame as part of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The group won multiple Grammys and sold tens of millions of albums before disbanding.
Michel now faces one of the toughest sentences ever handed down in a campaign finance case — marking a stunning downfall for a once-celebrated artist.