Fugees member Pras was found guilty in federal court Wednesday on all charges related to an international conspiracy. In a Washington, D.C., courtroom, Pras (real name Prakazrel Michel) faced ten charges concerning accusations claiming the Grammy-winning rapper was involved in a scheme to help China influence the United States government.
According to an AP News report, Pras "was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration."
The Malaysian businessman that Pras was involved with was Jho Low, who became a fugitive after allegedly embezzling billions of dollars. During his trial, Pras testified that he was paid $20 million in 2012 to get a picture of Low and Barack Obama together. However, the rapper was accused of funneling $800,000 of that money to Obama's presidential campaign through straw donors. In response, Pras testified that he did not use the money under Low's direction and felt he could spend the money however he wanted.
Prosecutors also claimed Low gave Pras $100 million to help convince the American government to drop its investigation into Low. Pras argued that the money was an investment for his media company and didn't come from the Malaysian fugitive.
Charges that Pras was found guilty of included conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering, and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Pras did not comment on the jury's verdict but his attorney, David Kenner, said they will continue to fight the case.
"We are extremely disappointed in that result but are very, very confident in the ultimate outcome of this case," Kenner said. "If we do move to a sentencing hearing I remain very confident we will certainly appeal this case. This is not over."
Pras faces up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
Source: CNN
