Fugees’ Pras Michél Receives 14-Year Federal Prison Sentence
Pras Michél, founding member of the Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison following his conviction on charges that included conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal lobbying. The sentence was handed down Thursday by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C. Michél will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, according to representatives who confirmed the outcome.
Federal prosecutors had sought a substantially longer sentence, arguing that Michel’s involvement in a complex foreign-influence scheme warranted severe penalties. Defense attorneys, by contrast, requested a three-year term and are expected to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. Michél must surrender on Jan. 27.
“Throughout his career, Pras has broken barriers,” spokesperson Erica Dumas said in a statement. “This is not the end of his story. He appreciates the outpouring of support as he approaches the next chapter.”
Michél’s legal troubles began in 2019, when federal prosecutors charged him with using illicit foreign funds to make illegal contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. In 2021, the government expanded the case, adding allegations that he committed bank fraud, withheld material information, tampered with witnesses, violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and acted as an unregistered agent for China.
Prosecutors argued that Michél became entwined with Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, who was accused of orchestrating the theft of approximately $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. Michél was accused of helping funnel millions of dollars connected to Low in efforts ranging from political lobbying to attempts to influence the U.S. government under the Trump administration to drop an investigation into Low and repatriate a wanted Chinese national.
Michél has maintained that he never knowingly broke the law. Speaking to Rolling Stone prior to his conviction, he described the fallout as socially isolating. “I’m like a pariah now,” he said. “I’ve got friends who won’t talk to me because they think there’s a satellite in orbit listening to them.”
After a jury found Michél guilty on all counts in April 2023, the musician sought a retrial. His legal team argued that his former attorney, David Kenner, provided inadequate representation, including the use of AI-generated text in closing arguments. A federal judge denied the request earlier this year, clearing the way for Thursday’s sentencing.
While awaiting trial, Michél briefly reunited with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean for a series of performances in 2023. By the following year, he had distanced himself from further Fugees activities as legal proceedings escalated.
Michél’s legal team is expected to pursue an appeal immediately, setting the stage for what could be a drawn-out next phase in a case that has already spanned several years and raised complex questions about foreign influence, political access, and the responsibilities of public figures engaged in lobbying efforts.
