Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Obama Campaign Donations
Fugees rapper Pras Michel received a 14-year prison sentence for illegally funneling millions in foreign contributions to Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, alongside convictions for witness tampering and perjury.
Overview
- Fugees rapper Pras Michel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in illegally funneling foreign contributions to Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.
- Michel was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy, money laundering, and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, related to the illicit donations.
- The rapper's sentence also addressed charges of witness tampering and perjury, which occurred during the course of his trial.
- Prosecutors from the Justice Department had initially recommended a life sentence, citing Michel's betrayal of the country for financial gain.
- Despite his defense arguing for a lower sentence and requesting a new trial, the judge denied the request, imposing the 14-year term.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the sentencing of Pras Michel neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the court's decision and presenting balanced perspectives from both the prosecution and defense. They avoid loaded language and provide essential background information without editorializing, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"Michel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign."
CBS News"Michel was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years in prison for a case in which he was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign."
ABC News"Michel, 52, declined to address the court before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced him."
Associated PressArticles (6)
Center (3)
FAQ
Pras Michel is a Grammy-winning rapper and founding member of the Fugees who was convicted on 10 counts including conspiracy, money laundering, acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, witness tampering, and perjury related to illegally funneling foreign contributions to Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.
Pras Michel was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The Justice Department prosecutors had recommended a life sentence, citing his extensive crimes and betrayal of the country for financial gain.
Pras Michel funneled over $120 million obtained from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, through straw donors to Obama's 2012 campaign.
Michel’s attorneys claimed that the Malaysian financier Jho Low’s motivation for giving Michel money was not to influence policy but to obtain a photograph with then-President Obama.
Pras Michel attempted to end a Justice Department investigation of Jho Low, tampered with two witnesses, and committed perjury during the trial.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.