Fugees Member Pras Michel Charged With Illegally Raising Money For President Barack Obama’s 2012 Campaign

Fugees Member Pras Michel Charged With Illegally Raising Money For President Barack Obama’s 2012 Campaign

Ready or not, Pras Michel of the iconic group The Fugees could be going to jail. He was accused for allegedly using illegal means to raise money for President Barack Obama’s second campaign in 2012. He’s said to have violated federal campaign laws when he allegedly funneled millions of dollars into the election that featured a faceoff between Obama and Senator Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney

Michel is facing a four-count indictment, as  he was charged with “conspiracy to defraud the United States government and for making foreign and conduit campaign contributions” and “one count of a scheme to conceal material facts and two counts of making a false entry in a record in connection with the conspiracy,” according to reports.

A financier Michel allegedly teamed up with, Low Taek Jho, reportedly sent Michel $21 million from overseas between June 2012 and the following November. Michel subsequently handed over $865,000 to donors who would help fund the campaign for Obama, who was identified as Candidate A in the unsealed indictment. Low also allegedly “attended or arranged for his associates to attend,” an event hosted by the Presidential administration.

Michel’s attorney released a statement on his behalf and said,

“Mr. Michel is extremely disappointed that so many years after the fact the government would bring charges related to 2012 campaign contributions. Mr. Michel is innocent of these charges and looks forward to having the case heard by a jury.”

The Jasmine Brand previously reported that Michel was also in trouble for his alleged participation in an embezzlement scheme. Low was also allegedly involved and reportedly misappropriated more than $4.5billion from a Malaysian investment fund, 1MDB, to help purchase big-ticket items like a Picasso painting for actor Leonardo DiCaprio. 

What do you think about Pras Michel’s legal woes? Tell us in the comments!

 

Authored by: C.J.