Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced For 14 Years: Could He Get Life Sentence? His Net Worth Revealed

Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel Michel, aka ‘Pras’, once celebrated as a cornerstone of one of hip-hop’s most influential groups, is now at the centre of one of the biggest celebrity legal dramas of the year. The Fugees rapper has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison after being convicted of illegal foreign lobbying and campaign finance crimes tied to Malaysian financier Jho Low and Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign.

After a previous delay in the case due to Michel’s emergency colon cancer surgery, the court finally announced his sentence on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Some Hollywood names have also been linked to the case, marking a shocking moment for fans and the music world alike. Here’s everything you need to know about the case and how much the Fugees rapper was worth when he got arrested.

Why was Pras Michel arrested? A breakdown of his charges

Pras was found guilty of illegally funneling foreign money to former U.S. President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. The rapper, who founded the legendary Fugees, has also been found guilty of participating in a foreign influence scheme tied to Malaysian financier Jho Low.

Justice Department Prosecutors argued that the rapper “betrayed his country for money” and “lied unapologetically and unrelentingly” to push his schemes forward. Given his sentencing guidelines, prosecutors have pointed toward life imprisonment, arguing that Pras’ punishment should match the scope of his crimes, his disregard for national security, and what they described as the scale of his greed. The prosecutors said:

“His sentence should reflect the breadth and depth of his crimes, his indifference to the risks to his country, and the magnitude of his greed.”

The 52-year-old rapper declined to comment before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly before the sentencing. According to recent reports, Michel will also serve three years in probation after his release and must surrender on January 27, 2026. The court has ordered him to forfeit the USD 64 million connected to the scheme.

Hollywood names linked with the case

In April 2023, a federal jury found Pras Michel guilty on ten charges: conspiracy, illegal campaign contributions, illegal foreign lobbying, money laundering, witness tampering, perjury, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to falsify statements, and conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent. The court recorded testimony from Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

According to Justice Department prosecutors, Michel funnelled millions from Malaysian financier Jho Low, who helped finance The Wolf of Wall Street, through straw donors into Obama’s 2012 campaign. He later allegedly tried to influence U.S. actions regarding Low and China. However, the rapper’s legal team argued that the billionaire only wanted to get a photo with President Obama.

Michel’s previous bid for a new trial was rejected

After his conviction, Michel sought a retrial from the court; his team argued that his former attorney sabotaged the case by using an unverified AI tool to craft closing arguments. However, in August 2024, a judge rejected the claim, saying that it didn’t amount to a miscarriage of justice. Now, the rapper’s legal team is set to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, a process that could take years.

What Pras Michel’s net worth looks like now

The case will significantly dent the Fugees rapper’s massive fortune. As of 2025, Pras Michel’s net worth is estimated at around USD 350 million, as per a report by Cineworth. His wealth primarily comes from his Fugees success as one of the most successful hip-hop groups of the 1990s, his solo music career, songwriting royalties, film production and acting roles, as well as his real estate, media, and tech investments. However, the rapper’s fortune is now in serious jeopardy due to the required forfeiture of USD 64 million for his legal dispute.

More about Pras Michel

Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel is a Haitian-American rapper, record producer, and actor who grew up in Brooklyn and rose to global fame in the 1990s as a member of The Fugees, a critically acclaimed hip-hop group. Together with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Pras took The Fugees to global fame with hits like Killing Me Softly, Ready or Not, and Fu-Gee-La. Once recognised as one of hip-hop’s most influential groups, the Fugees split in 1998. However, in recent years, the trio attempted several reunion tours.

The Grammy-winner is now preparing for a long stretch in federal prison and will soon appeal to the court. Pras Michel's spokesperson, Erica Dumas, said he remains grateful to those standing by him during this “difficult chapter”.

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