Rapper Pras from the group The Fugees was convicted for his part in a political conspiracy that spanned two US presidencies.
Pras’ given name is Prakazrel Michel. He’s of Haitian descent. He was accused of funnelling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier, Low Taek Jho, through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
Pras is accused of trying to influence a justice department investigation and trying to influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.
He was found guilty on all charges, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.
In his defense Pras argued that he received bad advice as he tried to reinvent himself in the world of politics.
Testifying in his own defense Pras said the Malaysian business wanted a photo with Obama and was willing to pay millions.
Pras said he agreed to help and used some of the money he got to pay for friends to attend fundraising events. He said no one had ever told him that was illegal.
But prosecutors argued he was donating the money on behalf of Low and later tried to pressure the straw donors against talking to investigators using burner phones.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that Pras took millions from Low to halt an investigation into a multi-billion dollar money laundering and bribery scheme by Low. Low is now an international fugitive because of the scheme though he maintains his innocence.
Prosecutors says Pras also got paid to try and persuade the US to extradite back to China a government critic suspected of crimes there without registering as a foreign agent.
During the trial the likes of former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and actor Leonardo DiCaprio testified.
Pras is a multi Grammy award winning rapper with The Fugees.
