Pras Begins 14‑Year Prison Term Over Obama Campaign Money

A former Fugees star, Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, turned himself in to a low‑security federal prison in Arizona on Thursday. He will start serving a 14‑year sentence after a 2023 conviction for illegally routing foreign money into the 2012 re‑election effort of former President Barack Obama. Michel, now 53, faced ten charges that included conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Prosecutors say he funneled more than $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho—also known as Jho Low—through a network of straw donors into the campaign. He also tried to halt a Justice Department probe of Low, tampered with witnesses, and lied at trial. Low denies any wrongdoing.The rapper’s legal team continues to appeal the case, but the court has already handed down a lengthy punishment. “This is a hard moment for Pras, his family, and anyone who believes in justice, ” one spokesperson noted. “He respects the legal process as he begins his sentence. ” Michel co‑founded the Fugees with friends Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The group earned two Grammys and sold millions of records, making him a household name long before the scandal. Pras’s story is a reminder that even celebrated figures can face serious consequences when they cross legal lines. The case also highlights the complexities of foreign influence in U. S. elections and the strict enforcement actions that can follow.