**Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Seeks to Delay Prison Sentence Amid Appeal Over Illegal Foreign Lobbying Convictions**
Fugees rapper Pras Michel is requesting to remain out of prison while he appeals his convictions related to illegal foreign lobbying. He was sentenced to 14 years behind bars after being found guilty of running a “foreign influence campaign” aimed at persuading the U.S. government to drop an investigation into fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low.
Michel, who gained fame alongside Fugees bandmates Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, is scheduled to surrender next month to begin serving his sentence. However, in a new court filing dated Friday, December 19, his legal team argues that there were “egregious” errors during his 2023 jury trial that warrant allowing him to appeal the verdict before reporting to prison. They contend that the appeal could lead to the reversal of nearly every count against him.
“Neither the D.C. Circuit nor any other Court of Appeals has ever confronted this extraordinary degree of improper jury influence, which appears to be unprecedented,” Michel’s lawyers wrote in their filing.
In a statement, Michel’s spokeswoman Erica Dumas emphasized the unfairness of the trial, saying, “This wasn’t a fair trial. This was a coronation of guilt. We’re confident the appeals court will recognize this case for what it is, an unprecedented trial that denies Pras’ constitutional right to an impartial jury.”
### Background: The Fugees and the Charges
The Fugees, composed of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel, rose to international fame in the 1990s with hits like “Killing Me Softly,” “Ready or Not,” and “Fu-Gee-La.” After disbanding in 1998, each pursued successful solo careers and mostly kept their distance until recently, when they began attempting reunion tours.
In 2019, Michel faced sweeping federal criminal charges alleging that he funneled money from Jho Low—the mastermind behind the billion-dollar 1MDB embezzlement scandal—into a lobbying campaign designed to persuade the first Trump administration to cease its investigation into Low. Additional accusations include secretly funneling Low’s money to Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign and attempting to influence an extradition case on behalf of China.
### Conviction and Sentencing
Michel’s 2023 trial featured testimony from notable figures such as actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.
Earlier this year, the rapper was sentenced to 14 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $64 million allegedly tied to the scheme.
### The Appeal and Key Arguments
Last week, Michel filed a notice of appeal, the standard procedural step to challenge a verdict. While such initial filings are typically brief, Michel’s lawyers submitted a detailed motion alongside a request to delay his prison sentence.
Among the critical issues highlighted by his defense, they allege that the judge improperly influenced the jury by repeatedly referring to Michel as a “co-conspirator” in open court, effectively implying his guilt. Additionally, they claim that the judge permitted an FBI agent to testify over 25 times, expressing opinions on Michel’s guilt.
“If decided in Michel’s favor, these and the other substantial questions below would result in a new trial, reversal of nearly every count, and, at a minimum, a reduced sentence that would likely be less than the duration of Michel’s appeal,” his lawyers wrote.
As the legal battle unfolds, Michel awaits a decision on whether he can remain free during the appeal process or must report to prison as scheduled next month.
https://www.billboard.com/pro/fugees-rapper-pras-michel-postpone-14-year-prison-sentence/
