Pras Michel, who is known for being a member of the Fugees, has begun serving his 14-year federal sentence, turning himself in on Thursday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona, as he continues efforts to overturn his 2023 conviction, according to Rolling Stone.
Pras' spokesperson Erica Dumas shared a statement with Complex following the news.
“Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice,” Dumas said. “Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence. The FARA-related charges that led to his conviction are being vigorously contested on appeal, and his legal team believes the record will show that his rights were violated and the truth was obscured. This chapter is difficult but it is not his final one.”
The Fugees rapper was found guilty on multiple counts tied to an international conspiracy involving illegal lobbying, campaign finance violations, and money laundering. Prosecutors argued that Michel participated in a scheme to funnel foreign funds into U.S. politics and influence government officials without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Pras was sentenced to 14 years in prison over his alleged role in an international conspiracy scheme on November 20, shortly after a judge ordered him to forfeit $64 million to the U.S. government.
Pras was ordered to surrender to begin his prison sentence in the new year on January 27, 2026.
Pras Michel was convicted in April 2023 on 10 criminal counts, including witness tampering and failing to register as a foreign agent. Prosecutors said he took $100 million from Malaysian financier Jho Low to run an undisclosed lobbying campaign aimed at influencing both the Obama and Trump administrations, including efforts tied to the 1MDB scandal.
Authorities alleged the campaign sought to sway U.S. policy and halt investigations into Low. After his conviction, Pras requested a retrial, arguing ineffective legal counsel and the use of AI in his defense, but a judge denied the request.
