The Fugees' Pras Michel Faces $64M Government Seizure After Embezzlement Case
Pras Michel, founding member of The Fugees, faces a $64 million government seizure following his conviction on charges related to illegal lobbying and fraud. The case stems from his relationship with fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low and the 1MDB embezzlement scandal.
Pras Michel of The Fugees
Prosecutors in Washington, D.C. have filed a motion requesting the forfeiture of $64,923,226.40, representing funds allegedly channeled into Michel's accounts through covert means. The government claims Michel received approximately $104 million from Low to:
- Influence U.S. government officials
- Lobby for dismissal of a Justice Department investigation into Low
- Push for the extradition of a Chinese dissident at Beijing's request
Court documents reveal Michel concealed the funds' origins through:
- Shell companies
- Fake contracts
- Fraudulent financial agreements
- A network of co-conspirators to access U.S. banks
The $64 million 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 challenges, his former bandmates Hill and Wyclef Jean continue their successful solo music careers.