Pras Michel, a member of the renowned hip-hop group The Fugees from the 1990s, was found guilty of conspiring to orchestrate multiple overseas lobbying efforts to influence the US government during the administrations of two presidents.
US authorities claim that Michel received more than $100 million (£80 million) from Malaysian oligarch Jho Low, which he allegedly used in two attempts to influence US politics.
Pras Michel Was Found Guilty by the Court
The self-proclaimed celebrity surrogate was also convicted of advocating for the Chinese Communist Party.
Michel, 50, was found guilty in a court in Washington, DC of campaign finance violations, operating as an unregistered foreign agent, interfering with witnesses, and lying to banks.
In addition, it is alleged that Michel exerted pressure on members of the Trump administration to abandon their investigation into Mr. Low’s involvement.
According to the Justice Department, the rapper reportedly received millions of dollars in exchange.
The Grammy-winning rapper and founding member of The Fugees only sought the worst legal counsel when he decided to rebrand himself as a politician.
Read more: Donald Trump Vs. Joe Biden: What Polls Say About The Upcoming Presidential Election
Hopeful for Judge’s Decision
Michel testified in his own defense and was cross-examined vigorously by the prosecution.
Prosecutors allege that Michel received payment for lobbying the US government on behalf of Beijing to extradite Chinese entrepreneur and dissident Guo Wengui to China without registering as a foreign agent first.
Regarding this allegation, the defense cited Mr. Sessions’s testimony, in which he claimed to have been aware, while serving as attorney general, that Beijing had requested Michel’s extradition, despite being oblivious of it.
According to the former attorney general, the rapper’s ultimately abortive attempts to set up a meeting to discuss the matter were not unethical.
David Kenner, Michel’s attorney, told reporters outside the courthouse that he remained hopeful that the judge would dismiss the charges, despite being very disturbed by the
decision.
Read more: The AI Patent Controversy: Supreme Court’s Decision And Its Consequences
