Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, a member of the 1990s hip-hop group the Fugees, accompanied by defense lawyer David Kenner, right, arrives at federal court April 3, 2023, in Washington. ANDREW HARNIK / AP
A US court sentenced rapper Prakazrel "Pras" Michel to 14 years in prison on Thursday, November 20 for involvement in a billion-dollar Malaysia scam that funneled money into American politics, media reported.
The 52-year-old founding member of the 1990s hit trio the Fugees was convicted of money laundering and campaign finance violations in 2023 in a global foreign influence scandal led by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho. A jury had found Michel guilty on 10 criminal counts following a high-profile trial that included Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio as a witness.
Read more Fugees rapper Pras Michel found guilty in illegal government lobbying scheme
Michel's lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg, said his client would appeal and that the sentence was disproportionate, according to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Several US entertainment media outlets including Billboard and Entertainment Weekly also reported the sentence.
