Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, one‑third of the legendary hip‑hop group the Fugees, has officially reported to federal prison to begin serving a 14‑year sentence tied to one of the most complex political finance cases in recent history.
Michel, age 53, is now listed as an inmate at a low‑security federal facility in Safford, Arizona. His spokesperson called the day “painful” for the rapper and his family, emphasizing that his legal team continues to fight the conviction.
The sentence stems from a 2023 conviction on 10 federal charges, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Prosecutors said Michel received more than $120 million from Malaysian financier Jho Low and funnelled part of it into former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign through straw donors. He was also accused of attempting to interfere with a U.S. Justice Department investigation into Low.
Michel rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, with the group selling tens of millions of albums and winning two Grammys. His imprisonment marks a dramatic turn for an artist who was once at the centre of one of hip‑hop’s most influential acts.
Source: CityNews
Image: Getty Images
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