Rapper Pras Michel was found guilty on Wednesday of ten criminal counts related to an international conspiracy to help China influence US politics and government.
Former Fugees member accused of helping Malaysian businessman escape Low Jho in helping the Chinese government reach the highest levels of the US government. This also includes the former president visit report Donald Trump And Barack Obamaaccording to CNN.
RELATED: Fugees’ Pras stands trial on conspiracy charges as jury selection begins this week
Pras Michel found guilty of 10 counts of international conspiracy with China
The rapper is said to have been found guilty of “conspiracy to defraud the United States” and “false witness”. In addition, he was also found guilty of “acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.”
CNN reports that Michel faces a sentence of up to 20 years. However, no sentencing date has yet been scheduled for the rapper.
In addition, the rapperl has maintained his innocence, as reported by the New York Post.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Fugees rapper Pras Michel was found guilty of multi-million dollar political conspiracies over two presidential terms. pic.twitter.com/73Ns2EPUte
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 26, 2023
More details on the international conspiracy plan
Last week, the Grammy Award-winning artist testified that Low paid him $20 million in 2012 to get a picture of him with Obama. Prosecutors allege that Michel then transferred more than $800,000 of that money to Obama’s re-election campaign through multiple straw donors.
Michel testified that he thought he could spend the money as he saw fit. Additionally, he added that he has never acted under Low’s direction.
“I could buy 12 elephants with that money,” he told the jury.
Low allegedly went back to Michel after Trump was elected in 2016, prosecutors allege.
Around that time, federal authorities began stepping up their investigations into Low and accused him of embezzling billions of dollars from 1MBD, a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund and strategic development company. .
Low is said to have sent Michel over $100 million to try to influence the US government. In addition, the money is said to be aimed at preventing an investigation into the Malaysian businessman.
At the direction of the Chinese government, Michel also endorsed the extradition of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui, according to federal prosecutors.
Pras tries to explain connection to fugitive Malaysian businessman, gets light sentence in absentia
Meanwhile, Michel testified that all he did was try to find an attorney for Low in the United States. Additionally, he added that $100 million is for a media business he is starting.
He went on to deny that the big investment was Low’s.
Low, who is believed to be in China, was sentenced in absentia last month to 10 years in prison in Kuwait for his role in laundering at least $1 billion in relation to $4.5 billion that was stolen. from 1MDB, the New York Post reported.
$1 billion was laundered through Kuwait in Chinese currency. This was due to Low’s attempt to keep money out of the US banking system “and out of reach of the Justice Department and its investigators,” the paper reported.
