Former Fugees Rapper Charged In Massive Campaign Finance Law Case

Ex-Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel has been charged in a massive campaign finance conspiracy case, according to the AP.

A four-count indictment accuses Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of conspiring with fugitive Malaysian financer Low Taek Jho, usually known as Jho Low, to make and conceal foreign campaign contributions. He is alleged to have used straw donors to give campaign contributions to a U.S. presidential candidate, who is identified in the indictment only as Candidate A.

This allegedly took place in 2012. Prosecutors say Low maneuvered over $20 million–  $21.6 million, to be exact– of foreign money to Michel’s accounts.

 They say Michel then paid about 20 straw donors and conduits so they could make the donations in their names and conceal where the money actually came from, according to the indictment.

More than $1 million was also sent to an independent expenditure committee, prosecutors said.

“Mr. Michel is extremely disappointed that so many years after the fact the government would bring charges related to 2012 campaign contributions,” said defense lawyer Barry Pollack. “Mr. Michel is innocent of these charges and looks forward to having the case heard by a jury.”

Low’s attorneys deny any wrongdoing.

“Mr. Low has never made any campaign contributions directly or indirectly in the U.S. and he unequivocally denies any involvement in or knowledge of the alleged activities,” his lawyers said in a statement.

Michel’s lawyers are also maintaining  his innocence.

“Mr. Michel is extremely disappointed that so many years after the fact the government would bring charges related to 2012 campaign contributions,” defense lawyer Barry Pollack stated. “Mr. Michel is innocent of these charges and looks forward to having the case heard by a jury.”

h/t The AP