Fugees' Pras Michel Faces $64M Government Seizure After Foreign Lobbying Convictions

Fugees' Pras Michel Faces $64M Government Seizure After Foreign Lobbying Convictions

By Marcus Bennett

December 23, 2024 at 05:43 AM

Former Fugees member Pras Michel faces a $64 million government seizure following his conviction on charges related to illegal lobbying and financial fraud connected to Malaysian financier Jho Low's 1MDB embezzlement scandal.

Pras Michel of The Fugees

Pras Michel of The Fugees

Federal prosecutors have filed a motion requesting $64,923,226.40 in forfeiture, representing funds allegedly funneled into Michel's accounts through covert means. The government claims Michel received approximately $104 million from Low to influence U.S. officials, including efforts to dismiss a Justice Department investigation and facilitate the extradition of a Chinese dissident.

Court documents reveal Michel concealed the money's origins through shell companies, fake contracts, and fraudulent financial agreements. Prosecutors state that Michel and his co-conspirators "created fake contracts and agreements and repeatedly lied to financial institutions to fraudulently obtain access to $104.24 million from Low."

The $64 million seizure represents unrecovered funds from these criminal activities. Michel faces up to 20 years in prison in what has become one of the most significant celebrity foreign lobbying cases.

This legal trouble comes amid Michel's separate lawsuit against former Fugees bandmate Lauryn Hill regarding the cancellation of their reunion tour. Despite these controversies, both Hill and fellow Fugees member Wyclef Jean continue their successful solo music careers.

Hand holding Apple AirPods

Hand holding Apple AirPods

alt: Group posing at radio station

alt: Group posing at radio station

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