Hip-Hop Icon Faces Major Prison Term Over Illegal Obama Campaign Donations
Pras Michel, the Grammy-winning rapper and founding member of the legendary group Fugees, has been sentenced to
14 years in prison after being found guilty of funneling illegal foreign money into Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. The verdict, delivered Thursday by a Washington federal court, marks a dramatic fall from grace for the artist once celebrated for hits like “Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly”.
The Scandal: Foreign Money, Political Influence, and a Global Web
At the heart of the case is a sprawling international corruption scandal. Prosecutors revealed that Pras Michel, now 53, received more than
$120 million from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho—better known as Jho Low—who is widely considered the mastermind behind the infamous 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scandal. Authorities say Michel used part of these funds to secretly channel foreign contributions into Obama’s campaign, a clear violation of U.S. law, which strictly prohibits foreign donations in federal elections.
To disguise the origin of the money, Michel allegedly used a network of straw donors and offshore companies. The court also found him guilty of conspiracy, falsifying records, and acting as an unregistered agent for a foreign government.
More Than Just Campaign Finance: China, Trump, and Secret Lobbying
The charges didn’t stop at illegal campaign donations. Michel was also convicted of
illegal lobbying on behalf of China during the Trump administration in 2017. Prosecutors argued he tried to influence U.S. officials to extradite Chinese dissident Guo Wengui back to Beijing, acting at the behest of Chinese interests.
Defense Calls Sentence “Disproportionate,” Plans Appeal
Michel’s legal team, led by attorney Peter Zeidenberg, slammed the sentence as “totally disproportionate” to the crimes, noting that federal guidelines had even suggested a possible life sentence. Zeidenberg announced that Michel will appeal both the conviction and the sentence, arguing that the punishment is far harsher than what is typically handed down for similar offenses.
What’s Next for Pras Michel—and the Fugees Legacy?
The case has sent shockwaves through both the music and political worlds. Once a symbol of hip-hop’s global reach, Michel’s conviction now stands as a cautionary tale about the risks of mixing celebrity, politics, and international finance.
For fans of the Fugees, the news is bittersweet. The group’s influence on 1990s music is undeniable, but Michel’s legal troubles cast a long shadow over their legacy. As the appeal process unfolds, the story of Pras Michel is far from over—and the implications for campaign finance and foreign influence in U.S. politics are likely to reverberate for years to come.
Sources
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4. Pras Michel des Fugees condamné à 14 ans de prison
5. Un membre des Fugees condamné à 14 ans de prison
6. Pras Michel, membre des Fugees, condamné à 14 ans de ...
