Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, founding member of Grammy-winning hip-hop group The Fugees, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on November 20, 2025, for orchestrating schemes to funnel illegal foreign campaign donations into Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign and for lobbying Trump administration officials on behalf of foreign interests. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly imposed the sentence in Washington, D.C. after Michel was convicted in April 2023 on 10 federal counts including conspiracy, money laundering, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China. Michel must surrender January 27, 2026, serve three years probation following release, and forfeit $64-65 million.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
The Criminal Conspiracy Behind Illegal Foreign Campaign Donations
Michel orchestrated separate criminal schemes across two presidential administrations involving Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho and Republican lobbyist Elliott Broidy to conceal illegal foreign campaign donations and influence U.S. government decisions. Between 2012 and 2017, Michel obtained over $120 million from Low and directed funds through illicit channels to corrupt the American political process. Low Taek Jho is accused of stealing approximately $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund, with Michel channeling portions of these stolen funds.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][1]
The Obama Campaign Contribution Scheme with Foreign Funds
Michel funneled nearly $2 million in illegal foreign campaign donations to an Obama super PAC between June and November 2012 using straw donors to conceal the money’s true source from campaign finance regulators. During trial testimony, Michel admitted he viewed Low’s payments as “free money” and accepted millions specifically to help Low secure a photograph with President Obama.[3][5][6][9][1][2]
The Trump Administration Lobbying Operation and Foreign Influence
After 2017, Michel and Broidy lobbied the Justice Department to drop investigations into Low and advocated for extradition of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui to China in exchange for payment. Low funded both men’s lobbying efforts to advance his personal interests and Beijing’s diplomatic demands.[4][6][9][2][3]
Trial Evidence and Key Witness Testimony
The trial featured three high-profile witnesses establishing connections to illegal foreign funding:[6][7][9][1][2][3]
- Leonardo DiCaprio – Connected Low through financing “The Wolf of Wall Street” film and Hollywood investments[11][12][9][2][3]
- Jeff Sessions – Former Attorney General establishing conspiracy details and foreign agent activity[7][9][3][6]
- Steve Wynn – Casino magnate corroborating illegal foreign funding connections and scheme details[2][6]
DiCaprio’s testimony proved crucial, connecting Low to illicit financial schemes and demonstrating his capacity for global influence operations through Hollywood projects and entertainment industry payments. Low used portions of allegedly stolen 1MDB funds to finance Hollywood films including “The Wolf of Wall Street” and to maintain lavish international networks with celebrities.[12][9][11][3][6][2]
Federal Charges and Sentencing Findings
Michel was convicted of 10 federal counts related to the illegal foreign campaign donations and lobbying schemes:[5][8][9][1][3][6][7][2]
- Conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws[9][5][2]
- Acting as unregistered foreign agent for China[4][6][2]
- Money laundering and financial fraud[5][7][9][2]
- Witness tampering and obstruction of justice[7][2][5]
- Perjury during trial testimony[6][9]
Judge Kollar-Kotelly characterized Michel as “well educated but very arrogant” and noted his complete lack of remorse, stating he was “dishonest in some answers” during proceedings. Prosecutors emphasized that Michel “betrayed his country for money” and “lied unapologetically and unrelentingly” to carry out his schemes.[13][1][3][2][5][6][7]
Defense Arguments and Michel’s Appeal Plans
Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg argued the sentence was “completely disproportionate to the offense,” seeking only three years imprisonment for the illegal foreign campaign donations violations. Zeidenberg contended life sentences are reserved for deadly terrorists and drug kingpins, not campaign finance violators. Michel intends to appeal both his conviction and sentence. Michel had rejected a plea deal that would have required only 16 months in prison in exchange for admitting obstruction of justice.[1][3][9][2][5][6][7]
Background on Key Figures and Global Connections
Michel, 52, born in Brooklyn to Haitian immigrants, co-founded The Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean in the 1990s and achieved Grammy recognition for their work. The group won two Grammy Awards in 1997 for “The Score” album and sold tens of millions of albums globally.[14][15][9][5][7]
Low Taek Jho remains a fugitive in China, accused of embezzling billions from Malaysia’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund and using stolen money for political operations and Hollywood investments. He financed Hollywood projects including “The Wolf of Wall Street” and maintained global influence networks used for lobbying and illegal campaign donation schemes. Low is described as operating in partnership with former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in orchestrating the 1MDB scheme.[8][11][12][9][1][2][4][6]
Guo Wengui, the Chinese dissident targeted for extradition through the illegal lobbying efforts, was arrested in the U.S., tried, and convicted in separate fraud charges but remains unsentenced. Michel and Broidy accepted payment from Low specifically to lobby the Trump administration on behalf of China to facilitate Guo’s extradition.[9][2][4][6]
