Michel’s case stems from prosecutors’ account that he acted as a conduit between money tied to Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho and Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, using straw donors to steer funds toward the campaign, according to court-related reporting cited in the federal case. On Thursday, Michel reported to prison to begin the 14-year term imposed after his conviction, according to a spokesperson for the rapper.
Erica Dumas, a spokesperson for Michel, said in a statement that “Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice.” Dumas added that Michel “honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence,” while also saying his legal team is still contesting the charges, according to the spokesperson’s remarks.
Federal records list Michel as an inmate at a low-security correctional institution in Arizona, the spokesperson said, and Michel’s age was listed as 53. The Associated Press reported that Michel reported to prison on Thursday, with records reflecting where he is serving the sentence.
Prosecutors said Michel’s conviction followed his alleged efforts to funnel foreign contributions into a U.S. political campaign. In the account laid out by prosecutors, Michel obtained over $120 million from Low Taek Jho and steered some of that money through straw donors to Obama’s campaign.
The prosecutors’ theory also included alleged efforts by Michel to interfere with the Justice Department’s investigation connected to Low. Prosecutors said Michel tried to end a U.S. Justice Department investigation involving Low, tampered with two witnesses and perjured himself at trial, according to the Associated Press report.
Low has maintained his innocence, the report said. Michel’s defense, through Dumas, has continued to challenge the charges as he begins serving time.
Michel was convicted in 2023 on 10 counts that included conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, according to the report. He was sentenced late last year, and the 14-year term is scheduled to start as he begins serving his prison sentence in Arizona.
Before the criminal case, Michel was described in the reporting as a founding member of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The group later won two Grammy Awards and sold tens of millions of albums, according to the Associated Press report.