Fugees rapper Pras Michel sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal lobbying

November 21, 2025

Former Fugees rapper Pras Michel received a 14-year prison sentence for his involvement in illegal foreign influence campaigns targeting American politics. Between 2012 and 2017, Michel accepted over $100 million from Malaysian businessman Jho Low, who was central to the massive 1MDB corruption scandal, and used these funds to illegally influence US officials during both the Obama and Trump administrations. Michel was convicted on multiple charges including serving as an unregistered foreign agent, campaign finance violations, witness tampering, and lobbying for the Chinese government.

Who is affected

Prakazrel "Pras" Michel (the defendant sentenced to 14 years)
Malaysian billionaire Jho Low (who provided the money and is a fugitive)
Various US government entities including the White House and FBI
The Malaysian government and its sovereign wealth fund (1MDB)
Michel's co-defendants: Elliott Broidy (pardoned), George Higginbotham (received three months probation), and Nicki Lum Davis (received 24 months)
Michel's defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg

What action is being taken

Michel's attorney is appealing the sentence and conviction

Why it matters

This case represents a significant breach of American democratic processes through foreign influence operations that spanned two presidential administrations. The prosecution demonstrates the serious consequences of accepting foreign money to secretly influence US politics and government officials, with prosecutors arguing Michel "betrayed his country for money" and exploited multiple government institutions. The case also highlights the ongoing threat of foreign interference in American politics and the importance of transparency requirements for those working on behalf of foreign interests, though recent policy changes have narrowed when such violations will be prosecuted.

What's next

Michel will appeal both the conviction and the sentence

Read full article from source: BBC