Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, one of the original members of the legendary hip-hop group The Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after a landmark ruling in Washington, D.C. The decision, delivered on November 21, 2025, marks the end of a lengthy and closely watched legal battle involving foreign money, political lobbying, and one of the largest financial scandals of the past decade.
Michel was found guilty on several felony charges, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and operating as an unregistered agent for foreign interests. Federal prosecutors argued that he played a central role in a covert effort financed by fugitive Malaysian businessman Jho Low. According to investigators, Michel helped move millions of dollars into the U.S. political landscape by masking the true source of the funds and using intermediaries to make illegal campaign contributions.
A significant portion of the case involved accusations that Michel secretly helped channel funds into a U.S. presidential campaign in 2012 by recruiting people to donate in their own names, only for them to be reimbursed with foreign money. Prosecutors said these actions not only violated federal campaign finance laws but also aimed to influence high-level decision-making in Washington.
Beyond the political funding charges, Michel was also accused of participating in a separate backchannel lobbying effort to pressure U.S. officials into sending a Chinese national back to Beijing. Authorities say this was done at the request of foreign operatives who sought to use Michel’s access and public profile to influence decision-makers.
During sentencing, the judge described the crimes as “calculated” and “deeply damaging to democratic institutions,” rejecting the defense team’s portrayal of Michel as someone who simply fell under the influence of more sophisticated actors. Evidence presented in court portrayed him as an active participant who knowingly leveraged his celebrity connections to open doors within the government.
This case is intertwined with the infamous 1MDB scandal, in which billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from Malaysia’s state investment fund and used to finance luxury properties, Hollywood productions, and political operations around the world. Jho Low, the alleged mastermind, remains a fugitive and is believed to be living overseas.
Michel, who once enjoyed global fame for chart-topping hits with The Fugees in the 1990s, now faces one of the harshest sentences handed down in any U.S. case linked to the 1MDB fraud. In addition to his prison term, he will undergo three years of supervised release once his sentence is complete.
The ruling sends a strong message about foreign interference and illegal political influence, highlighting the increasing scrutiny surrounding covert lobbying and international financial networks operating in the United States.
