Fugees rapper sentenced to 14 years for illegal Obama campaign contributions
3 minute readPublished: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 12:47 am
Fugees Rapper Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Campaign Contributions
Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, a member of the iconic hip-hop group the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. The sentence stems from his conviction on charges related to illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.
Michel, 52, was found guilty in April 2023 on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The Justice Department argued that Michel "betrayed his country for money" and sought a life sentence. Prosecutors highlighted the scale of the crimes and Michel's alleged indifference to the potential risks.
The funds originated from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low. Michel admitted to receiving over $120 million from Low and using a portion of it to make illegal donations to the Obama campaign through straw donors. Michel stated he viewed the payments as "free money" and was unaware of any legal ramifications. The Justice Department also accused Michel of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, attempting to influence the Trump administration.
Michel's defense attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, argued that the 14-year sentence is excessive and disproportionate to the offense, recommending a three-year sentence. Michel's legal team plans to appeal the conviction and sentence. The defense argued that a life sentence would be an "absurdly high" punishment.
The case also involved testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The judge rejected Michel's request for a new trial, which was based in part on his defense attorney's use of a generative AI program during the trial.
BNN's Perspective:
This case highlights the complexities of campaign finance laws and the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections. While the sentence is substantial, it reflects the seriousness of the charges and the potential damage caused by such actions. The use of foreign money to influence elections undermines the integrity of the democratic process. The legal system must balance the need for justice with the potential for overly harsh penalties.
Keywords: Prakazrel Michel, Pras, Fugees, Barack Obama, campaign finance, illegal contributions, sentencing, Jho Low, foreign agent, conspiracy, unregistered agent, Justice Department, conviction, appeal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Sessions, election, fraud, money laundering, foreign influence, political donations.