Image: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File
Pras Michel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
The Justice Department prosecutors argued that Michel “betrayed his country for money” and recommended a life sentence for him.
Michel’s defense attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, argued that a 14-year sentence was “completely disproportionate to the offense” and recommended a three-year prison sentence.
Michel obtained over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Jho Low and funneled some of that money through straw donors to Obama’s campaign.
The judge rejected Michel’s request for a new trial, stating that trial errors, including the use of a generative AI program by his defense attorney, did not amount to a serious miscarriage of justice.
Michel is well known for his time with the Fugees and his own solo music career.
