Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, founding member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after his conviction on charges of conspiracy and illegal foreign lobbying. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly handed down the sentence on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following Michel’s conviction in April 2023 on 10 counts, including violating campaign finance laws and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
The 52-year-old Brooklyn native declined to address the court before sentencing, maintaining silence as the judge imposed a punishment that fell short of the life sentence recommended by federal prosecutors but far exceeded the three years his defense attorneys had requested. The sentence will be followed by three years of probation, and Michel was previously ordered to forfeit $64 million allegedly linked to the scheme.
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The $100 Million Foreign Influence Campaign
Prosecutors painted a damning portrait of Michel as someone who “betrayed his country for money,” orchestrating an elaborate scheme that spanned two presidential administrations. Between 2012 and 2017, Michel received more than $100 million from fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, also known as Low Taek Jho, who allegedly embezzled billions from Malaysia’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund.
The money financed two primary influence operations. In 2012, Michel illegally funneled approximately $21.6 million in foreign contributions through straw donors into Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. According to prosecutors, Low’s motivation was surprisingly simple: he wanted a photograph with the sitting president. Michel kept approximately $20 million of the funds for himself while directing $2 million through straw donors to Obama’s campaign and the Black Men Vote super PAC.
| The Michel-Low Conspiracy: Key Figures |
|---|
| Total Funds from Low: Over $100 million |
| 2012 Campaign Contributions: $21.6 million (Michel kept $20M, funneled $2M) |
| Obama Campaign Illegal Donations: $2 million through straw donors |
| 2017 Lobbying Payments: Amounts undisclosed |
| Forfeiture Ordered: $64 million (October 2025) |
| Final Sentence: 14 years + 3 years probation |
The second phase occurred during Donald Trump’s presidency in 2017, when Michel attempted to lobby administration officials—including then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions—to abandon the Justice Department investigation into Low and the 1MDB scandal. Michel also worked on behalf of the Chinese government to push for the extradition of dissident Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, who was later convicted of investor fraud.
The 1MDB Scandal: One of History’s Greatest Financial Crimes
To understand Michel’s crimes, one must grasp the massive scale of the 1MDB scandal. Described by the U.S. Department of Justice as “the largest kleptocracy case to date” in 2016, the scheme involved systematic embezzlement of more than $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, established in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Jho Low, a Malaysian financier from Penang with no formal position at 1MDB, leveraged his political connections to gain extensive access to the fund. He orchestrated the diversion of billions through shell companies and offshore bank accounts, using the stolen money to finance a lavish lifestyle that included purchasing luxury real estate, financing the Oscar-winning film The Wolf of Wall Street, and cultivating relationships with celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, who testified at Michel’s trial.
The scandal led to criminal investigations across multiple continents, fraud convictions for Goldman Sachs bankers who facilitated the scheme, and a 12-year prison sentence for former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Low himself remains a fugitive, believed to be living in Shanghai, China, under a false Australian passport with the name Constantinos Achilles Veis.
From Hip-Hop Royalty to Federal Defendant
The fall from grace represents a stunning reversal for Michel, who rose to fame as a founding member of the Fugees alongside childhood friends Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. Formed in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1990, the trio became one of the most influential alternative hip-hop acts of the 1990s, known for their fusion of hip hop, reggae, R&B, and funk, as well as their socially conscious lyrics.
| The Fugees: Career Highlights |
|---|
| Formation: 1990, South Orange, New Jersey |
| Members: Pras Michel, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean |
| Debut Album: Blunted on Reality (1994) |
| Breakthrough Album: The Score (1996) |
| Score Sales: 22+ million copies worldwide |
| Grammy Awards: 2 (Best Rap Album, Best R&B Performance) |
| Notable Hits: “Killing Me Softly,” “Ready or Not,” “Fu-Gee-La” |
| Disbandment: 1997 |
The Fugees’ second album, The Score, released in 1996, became a cultural phenomenon. The album peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and remained in the top ten for over half a year, ultimately selling more than 22 million copies worldwide. The group won two Grammy Awards at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards in 1997: Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their cover of “Killing Me Softly with His Song.”
Their rendition of Roberta Flack’s classic topped charts in over 20 countries, with the single reaching number one in the UK and staying there for five weeks, making it the UK’s best-selling single of 1996. Other hits like “Ready or Not” and “Fu-Gee-La” showcased the group’s innovative approach to hip-hop, blending melodic vocals with sharp lyricism and Caribbean influences.
However, creative tensions and personal conflicts led to the group’s disbandment in 1997. Lauryn Hill went on to unprecedented solo success with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), which won five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. Wyclef Jean became a prolific producer and solo artist, while Michel pursued soundtrack work and acting, achieving commercial success with “Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)” alongside Mýa and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
The Trial: High-Profile Testimony and AI Controversy
Michel’s three-week trial in Washington, D.C., featured testimony from Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. DiCaprio testified about partying with Low and confirmed that Low told him he wanted to donate $20 million to $30 million to the Democratic Party in 2012.
The trial revealed extensive evidence of Michel’s role in the conspiracy. Prosecutors demonstrated how he used shell companies to conceal the foreign origin of Low’s money, violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by conducting lobbying work without proper registration, tampered with witnesses, and committed perjury during the trial itself.
After his conviction in April 2023, Michel sought a retrial on grounds that his attorney, David Kenner, botched his defense by using an unproven artificial intelligence tool to craft closing arguments. Judge Kollar-Kotelly denied that motion in August 2025. Kenner himself eventually pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt charge over allegations that he leaked grand jury materials to reporters ahead of the trial.
The Sentencing: Disproportionate or Appropriate?
The sentencing hearing highlighted the stark divide between prosecution and defense perspectives. Justice Department prosecutors argued that federal sentencing guidelines recommended a life sentence for Michel, whom they accused of showing “indifference to the risks to his country” and demonstrating “the magnitude of his greed.”
“Prakazrel Michel betrayed his country for money. He funneled millions of dollars in prohibited foreign contributions into a United States presidential election and attempted to manipulate a sitting president to serve a foreign criminal and a foreign power,” prosecutors stated, adding that Michel “lied unapologetically and unrelentingly to carry out his schemes.”
Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg strongly condemned the 14-year sentence as “completely disproportionate to the offense.” He argued that life sentences are typically reserved for deadly terrorists and drug cartel leaders, calling such a recommendation “absurdly high” for Michel’s crimes. The defense had recommended a three-year prison sentence and characterized the sentencing guidelines as producing “absurd results.”
Michel’s lawyers also downplayed the extent of his crimes, arguing that Low’s motivation wasn’t to achieve policy objectives but merely “to obtain a photograph with himself and then-President Obama.” They cited this in their filing: “Low’s motivation for giving Mr. Michel money to donate was not so that he could achieve some policy objective. Instead, Low simply wanted to obtain a photograph with himself and then-president Obama.”
The Appeal and What Comes Next
Michel’s legal team has vowed to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, a process that can take months or years and typically faces an uphill battle to reverse a jury verdict. In an exclusive statement to Variety, Michel’s spokeswoman Erica Dumas struck a defiant tone: “Throughout his career Pras has broken barriers. This is not the end of his story. He appreciates the outpouring of support as he approaches the next chapter.”
Before sentencing, Michel had expressed hope for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, drawing parallels between his legal challenges and Trump’s own convictions in hush money cases. While there were reports that Trump was considering a pardon, Michel’s team indicated all options remained under review.
The case originated with a 2019 indictment on four counts of making illegal campaign contributions. Prosecutors expanded the charges in 2021 to include bank fraud, concealing material facts, witness tampering, and violating FARA by conducting lobbying work on behalf of China without proper registration.
The Broader Impact on the Fugees Legacy
Michel’s conviction and sentencing cast a shadow over the Fugees’ legacy, though the group’s musical contributions remain undisputed. Tensions within the group have persisted for decades, with various reunion attempts collapsing amid personal conflicts and professional disagreements.
In August 2024, the Fugees were scheduled to begin a reunion tour, but U.S. dates were quietly canceled three days before the first show, with Lauryn Hill citing “clickbait headlines” and low ticket sales. That same month, Michel released a diss track titled “Bar Mitzfa” criticizing Hill. In October 2024, Michel sued Hill for breach of contract and fraud, accusing her of mismanaging the tour’s budgeting in a “veiled and devious attempt” to sabotage the reunion.
Despite the personal turmoil, the Fugees remain recognized as pioneers who contributed to the diversification of Black identity in popular music. Billboard has ranked them among the greatest rap groups, and their influence on alternative hip-hop and conscious rap remains profound.
A Career Derailed by Greed
Prosecutors argued that Michel’s motivation was straightforward: after his music career stalled, he sought alternative income streams. Lead prosecutor Nicole Lockhart stated Michel was “looking for other ways to be paid” when he saw an opportunity to profit through Low, who needed help avoiding repercussions from the 1MDB scandal.
According to prosecutors, Michel pocketed approximately $88 million for his role in the various schemes, including the $20 million related to securing Low’s photograph with Obama. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of celebrity, politics, and foreign influence—and the severe consequences when those lines are crossed for personal gain.
As Michel begins his 14-year sentence, the hip-hop community grapples with the downfall of an artist who once helped define an era of socially conscious rap. From Grammy-winning heights to federal prison, Michel’s journey represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in music history.
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FAQs
What crimes was Pras Michel convicted of?
Pras Michel was convicted on 10 counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, violating campaign finance laws, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, witness tampering, and perjury. He illegally funneled over $21 million in foreign money into Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign.
Who is Jho Low and how is he connected to Pras Michel?
Jho Low is a Malaysian financier who allegedly embezzled over $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. He paid Michel over $100 million to conduct illegal lobbying campaigns and funnel foreign money into U.S. elections. Low remains a fugitive, believed to be hiding in China.
What was the Fugees’ biggest hit song?
The Fugees’ biggest hit was their cover of “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” which topped charts in over 20 countries and became the UK’s best-selling single of 1996. The song earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.
How much money did Pras Michel receive from Jho Low?
Pras Michel received more than $100 million from Jho Low between 2012 and 2017. Of the initial $21.6 million for the Obama campaign scheme, Michel kept approximately $20 million and funneled $2 million through straw donors to the campaign.
Will Pras Michel appeal his conviction and sentence?
Yes, Michel’s attorneys have announced they will appeal both the conviction and the 14-year sentence. However, such appeals typically face an uphill battle and can take months or years to resolve, with reversals of jury convictions being relatively rare.
