Pras Michel Archives - New Hip Hop News

Swizz Beatz Has Been Accused Of Receiving $7.3 Million In Stolen Funds Connected To The 1Malaysia Development Berhad Scandal

October 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Swizz Beatz Dean Collection Brooklyn Museum 2024 (1024x437) — Getty Image

According to reports, Swizz Beatz’s money is looking funny. The famed producer, Verzuz co-founder, and loving husband to Alicia Keys has supposedly been named in an international fraud scandal.

Based on a lawsuit filing obtained by AllHipHop, Swizz Beatz received a whooping sum of $7.3 million in stolen funds connected to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (often referred to as 1MDB).

In the paperwork, it alleged that Swizz Beatz (real named Kasseem Dean) was tied back to Jho Low as far back as the 2010s. “As the 1MDB Fraud was underway, Jho Low became a well-known figure in the Hollywood scene and developed a reputation as a businessman with deep pockets and a penchant for hosting lavish, star-studded parties and group vacations,” reads the suit. “Throughout the early 2010s, Low befriended many U.S. celebrities including Dean and his wife Alicia Keys. Between September 21, 2012 and September 4, 2014, Jho Low and/or Eric Tan caused the debtors to transfer $7,300,000 to defendants and, during that same time period, the debtors did not receive any money back from the defendants or any other consideration from the defendants in exchange for the fraudulent transfers.”

The breakdown of funds supposedly sent to Dean include, a $1.5 million payment to Swizz Beatz Productions Inc. in September 2012 as well as a $1 million then additional $800,000 transfer deployed in October 2012 by Alsen Chance. In addition to that, Dean’s Monza Studios is accused of receiving $800,000 in November 2013 and $1 million in December 2013 from Affinity sent $800,000 to Swizz Beatz’s Monza Studios in November 2013 and $1 million in December 2013. Outside of that, the filing alleged that Dean was personally sent $500,000 in June 2014, $300,000 in July 2014 and $1.4 million in September 2014.

Now, liquidators are seeking damages in the amount of $3.3 million from Swizz Beatz Productions, $1.8 million from Monza Studios, and then $2.2 million from Dean himself. The filer is also demanding that Dean cover attorneys’ fees and other court costs. Swizz Beatz has not yet addressed the lawsuit.

In April 2023, Pras Michel (of hip-hop trio Fuguees) was found guilty of several counts of money laundering in connection with the scandal. Despite his conviction, Michel maintains his innocence.

Were Lauryn Hill And Wyclef Jean Ever Married?

October 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lauryn Hill Wyclef Jean Coachella 2024 (1024x437) — Getty Image

Hip-hop’s legendary trio Fugees are no stranger to internal conflict. However, lately members Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel appeared to on good terms.

Well, that was until Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Anniversary Tour with Fugees was abruptly cancelled. Now, Pras Michel filed a lawsuit against Miss Hill and in it are several interesting accusations.

Continue below for more details.

Were Lauryn Hill And Wyclef Jean Ever Married?

According to supposed paperwork (viewable here) linked to Pras Michel, the answer is yes. But nothing to substantiate this claim has been found. In the alleged lawsuit documents against Hill, he Pras identified Wyclef as Hill’s “former husband.”

Read the passage from the supposed filing below.

With the walls closing in on Michel by mid-2023, Hill saw an opportunity and swooped in to purportedly ‘save the day’ for Michel, enlisting the unwitting aide of her former husband, Wyclef, to put together a Fugees tour for the second half of 2023 using independent live music concert promoter Mammoth, Inc.

Although Wyclef Jean claimed he dated Miss Hill within his 2012 autobiography, Purpose, he never mentioned being legally married to her.

For 13 years, Lauryn Hill was in a relationship with Rohan Marley, whom she shares five children Zion David, Selah, Joshua Omaru (better known as YG Marley), John Nesta, and Sara. The two reportedly ended things in 2009.

Wyclef, on the other hand, has been married to designer Marie Claudinette since 1994. They share one adoptive daughter, Angelina Claudinelle Jean. During the couple’s appearance on OWN’s Behind Every Man, Marie revealed that she never married another person. But Wyclef never mentioned anything similar.

Ms. Lauryn Hill Issues a Response to Pras Michél Accusing Her of Fraud in Lawsuit

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ms. Lauryn Hill Extends 'Miseducation' 25th Anniversary Tour

Pras Michél, a founding member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group The Fugees, has filed a lawsuit against bandmate Lauryn Hill, accusing her of fraud and breach of contract related to their shortened 2023 tour and a canceled 2024 tour.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Hill mismanaged various aspects of the 2023 tour, including its setup, marketing, and budget. According to the complaint, Hill’s actions were “a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself,” with claims that she siphoned money from the tour guarantees for personal gain.

Variety reports that Pras also accuses Hill of preventing an audit of the tour’s finances, alleging that she withheld funds that should have been shared among the band. The full list of claims against Hill includes fraud, fraud in the inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and refusal to permit an audit of the tour.

The Fugees, known for hits like “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not,” had previously reunited for their 2023 tour, which was cut short before it fully launched. The legal battle now casts uncertainty over the future of one of hip-hop’s most iconic groups.

“This morning, we filed a complaint for Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel against Lauryn Hill and MLH Touring, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case 1:24-cv-07403) for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Hill exploited Mr. Michel’s vulnerable legal situation, manipulating him into an unfair agreement for The Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour. Ms. Hill’s chronic tardiness was a hallmark of the tour, with shows routinely starting two or more hours late. Hill cancelled the second half of the tour and, at the same time, financially penalized and defrauded Mr. Michel. We assert that Ms. Hill misrepresented critical financial information and concealed her intent to take an excessive 60% share of the tour’s proceeds, leaving Mr. Michel with only 20% instead of the group’s customary one-third split. This legal action aims to hold Ms. Hill accountable and secure justice for Mr. Michel. The lawsuit comes on the cusp of the “Fugees” European tour by Hill and Wyclef Jean, at which Michael will not be performing.”

– Robert S. Meloni, Meloni & McCaffrey

In response to The Source, Ms. Lauryn Hill addresses Pras Michél’s lawsuit:

Some clarity and facts need to be presented. I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind and character.

Fact #1: This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill. Last year’s tour was put together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.
Fact #2: The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.

Fact #3: Pras was given a $3M advance for the tour, which he said he required to pay his legal fees. Wyclef and Myself deferred our full advances to make sure he had what he needed and was able to go. I covered most of the tour expenses, as the majority of the tour advance had gone to Pras. An agreement was put in place to secure the repayment of the money he was advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he was advanced, and is currently in breach of this agreement.

Fact #4: Because my tour, band, production, and set up were already happening, the Fugees set utilized this same production. I absorbed most of the expenses myself, produced the show, put together the entire set (with Wyclef’s participation for the Fugees and Wyclef’s set). Pras basically just had to show up and perform.

Fact #5: As of the last tour Pras thanked me for ‘saving his life’. (I have the receipts.)
Fact #6: I am not in the business of kicking anyone, especially when they’re down, which is why I haven’t responded to date. It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position, my band mate and someone I considered a friend but this leads us to Fact #7, which probably should have been Fact #1…

Fact #7: I was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that lead to his current legal troubles. I did not advise that he make that decision and therefore am in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences though I have taken it upon myself to help. Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.

– Respectfully, MLH

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Lauryn Hill Is Accused Of Fraud In A Lawsuit From Fugees Bandmate Pras Michel

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

fugees lauryn hill pras.jpg — Getty Image

The messy history of pioneering New Jersey hip-hop trio Fugees has just gotten messier. In the wake of a string of canceled reunion tours and Pras Michel’s conviction for money laundering, Pras has filed a lawsuit against Lauryn Hill, accusing his bandmate of fraud. According to Billboard, Pras’ lawyers filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, alleging that Hill used his legal trouble and resultant expenses to get him to sign onto the reunion tour, which was eventually canceled due to “gross mismanagement” by Hill’s touring company.

Pras says that Hill lied about how much she would be paid in comparison to her bandmates, secretly taking 40 percent of revenue from the gross before paying the one-third split between the three Fugees. Meanwhile, that revenue was much less than expected due to “bloated” production costs and its abrupt, premature end — which Pras blames on Hill’s company taking too long to negotiate splits with Live Nation, the tour sponsor. He says she also told Live Nation Pras and Wyclef Jean had agreed to extend the tour in order to garner a $1 million advance, which she kept for herself. She also turned down $5 million from Coachella because No Doubt would have received higher booking, denying Pras the opportunity to pay off his legal fees.

As such, the lawsuit demands full accounting of the tour, and specifically alleges breach of contract on Hill’s part and fraud in both her inducing Michel to sign onto the tour and how she paid out from the revenue.

“Hill’s ploy to appear to be Michel’s supposed savior was actually a devious attempt to make a big score for herself by generating millions of dollars from a Fugees tour,” his lawyers write. “In the process, it did not matter to Hill if she took full advantage of Michel’s vulnerability – her friend and creative partner of over 30 years. In fact, she counted on exploiting that vulnerability to carry out her scheme.”

A Judge Has Reportedly Denied Pras Michel’s Request For A New Money Laundering Trial

September 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Pras Michel The Fugees Private After Party 2023 (1024x437) — Getty Image

In April, Pras (real name Prakazrel Michel) was found guilty of 10 counts related to his money laundering case (which included conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government). The Fugees member accused of making a false statements and records after surrounding contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign (allegedly on behalf of Malaysian businessman Jho Low.)

Despite the conviction, Pras hasn’t given up hope. Given that he could face up to 20 years in prison, the producer held out hope for a legal Hail Mary. Pras supposedly filed a motion to have a new trial, stating inadequate representation. However, according HipHopDX, the judge has denied Pras’ request.

On August 30, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly requested the motion (viewable here) citing insufficient prejudice.

“Because [Pras] Michel has not shown sufficient prejudice resulting from the defense team’s use of the AI program (and the subsequent inclusion of Puff Daddy lyrics),” read the response. “The Court concludes that Michel has not demonstrated ineffective assistance of counsel on this basis.”

In Pras’ paperwork, he argued that his former attorney’s use of generative AI during closing statements or as the paperwork referred to as “the single most important portion” of his defense failed to wrap up their case neatly.

According to reports, Pras’ former defensive attorney David Kenner has pled guilty to leaking evidence of the case to the media.

Pras Michel Of The Fugees’ Lawyer Reportedly Pleaded Guilty To Leaking Evidence

January 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

pras michael fugees foreign agent — Getty Image

For years, rap fans have held out hope for The Fugees to reunite. While the legendary trio was able to perform a special set during the 2023 Roots Picnic, their previously announced tour plans were continuously disrupted. Last year, founding member Pras Michel’s legal battle was the one causing the disruption.

In April 2023, after a long-fought case, Michel was formerly found guilty of money laundering. Sadly, he isn’t the only person connected to the case facing blowback from the heavily publicized trial. According to Rolling Stone, Michel’s defensive attorney, David Kenner, is also facing the music.

The outlet reports that on January 25, Kenner reportedly pleaded guilty to leaking evidence related to the case to members of the press. As media professionals were required to sign a protective order to prevent information from being shared with the public, Kenner allegedly handed off confidential files to multiple reporters from Bloomberg.

While appearing before the judge, Kenner reportedly apologized for his misconduct. “[This is a] low point,” he said. “Obviously, I made a terrible mistake.”

Michel’s spokesperson, Erica Dumas, released a statement regarding the matter. “Mr. Kenner argues that he was merely trying to mount the best possible defense for Pras,” she said. “Mr. Kenner’s reckless actions crossed critical ethical lines, failed his duties as counsel, and ultimately have cost him dearly. This plea conviction represents a breach of client trust that strikes at the heart of the attorney-client relationship.”

It is unclear if Kenner will face time behind bars for his actions, but he has agreed to pay a $5,000 fine.

Pras Says He “Trusts The Process” While Attempting To Overturn Federal Conviction

November 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Pras says there’s been “a little bit of progress” in his work to overturn his recent federal conviction in which a jury found him guilty of 10 criminal counts in April. He was allegedly involved in a $4.5 billion money laundering scheme and conspired with Malaysian national Low Taek Jho (aka Jho Low) to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

“I trust the process,” Pras said. “Obviously there’s been a little bit of progress, so we’ll see what happens.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division previously explained Pras’ crimes, as noted by AllHipHop. “Mr. Michel sought to use his celebrity and access to influence U.S. government officials on behalf of undisclosed foreign interests,” Olsen said. “This is an affront to the rule of law, and we will use the full range of tools at our disposal to hold accountable those who would covertly aid foreign actors seeking to interfere with our democratic system of government.”

Pras Performs With The Fugees

Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras Michél of the Fugees at In Concert: Ms. Lauryn Hill & The Fugees: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour held at Crypto.com Arena on November 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)

Pras’ latest update comes after the Fugees member previously claimed that his former lawyer, David Kenner, used artificial intelligence to craft the closing arguments in his case and hired a new legal team to help him. “We also found evidence indicating that this was true. Specifically, we identified a press release issued by a company called EyeLevel after the trial that stated: ‘EyeLevel.AI’s litigation assistance technology made history last week, becoming the first use of generative AI in a federal trial. The case involved Pras Michel, a former member of the Hip-Hop band The Fugees, who was on trial for international fraud charges,’” Pras’ legal team argued.

During the ongoing legal trouble, Pras recently reunited with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean to perform as the Fugees on Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour. Be on the lookout for further updates on Pras’ case on HotNewHipHop.

[Via]

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Pras Michel Is Being Sued By Singer Dante Thomas For Financial Deceit

September 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Former Fugees bandmate Pras Michel is facing some more heavy legal troubles in an already long string of previous visits. This time, the reason he is being brought back is over financial deceit from a past collaborator who nabbed plenty of big hits for him. That man is Dante Thomas, a pop singer who rose in popularity in the early 2000s. Both artists teamed up for a pretty big hit in 2001 called “Miss California.”

The track made big waves across the world, with it reaching platinum and gold status in several countries. “Miss California” is also on Thomas’ one and only album release, Fly, which came out in ’01. He believes that Pras is not living up to his end of the bargain, according to AllHipHop. Thomas claims that besides Pras not following their agreement, the rapper is teasing him that he will never get all of the earnings from the song and album too.

Will Pras Be Coughing Up Tons Of Money?

Thomas’ efforts to retain his money are obviously turning up no results. He is seeking at least over $1 million in total punitive, liquidated, and compensatory damages. The evidence that his lawyer, Marye Dean Esq, has might help him over Pras. “Pras [informed Thomas] that he did, in fact, have [Thomas’] money that was paid by Warner to Pras and that he wasn’t going to give it to him. Pras boasted that he had powerful attorneys, ‘the same attorney Micheal Jackson had’ and taunted [Thomas], stating that he wouldn’t be able to recover a dime from him.” With this developing story, more information will come out on the exact amount that Thomas is looking to collect.

What are your initial thoughts on this situation with Pras Michel and Dante Thomas? With all of Pras’ legal issues lately, do you think he will serve time at all? Based on the information, whose side are you on? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Pras Michel and the rest of the music world.

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The Fugees Had An On-Stage Reunion At Roots Picnic And It Could Be Their Final One Ever Given The Pras Situation

June 5, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Fugees Wyclef Jean Lauryn Hill Pras Michel Roots Picnic 2023 — Getty Image

Roots Picnic was this past weekend, and on June 3, Lauryn Hill performed her set. In a surprise move, to wrap up her time on stage, she brought out Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel for a six-song Fugees reunion performance. The group had been trying to make a reunion happen for some time now, and they finally did.

What’s bittersweet here, though, is that this could be the last time the three perform together.

In April, Pras was found guilty on a number of federal charges, including money laundering, campaign finance violations, acting as an unregistered agent for China, concealment and false record-keeping, witness tampering, and making false statements. Ultimately, he could spend up to 20 years in prison, meaning that future Fugees performances with him do not seem likely.

Questlove shared a video of the performance on Instagram and wrote, “@MsLaurynHill did us a solid by letting us not only letting us celebrate with her the classic #MiseducationOfLaurynHill but she also made a moment by bringing together her bredren @WyclefJean & @PrasMichel ……in what could possibly be one of the last times we will see this institution together in this setting. I’m giving all the gratitude for making this miracle of a night happen.”

Pras To Sue 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving Over Informant Claims

May 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

As Pras stares down a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, he appears to be taking legal action against 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving, and Rolling Stone for labeling him a federal informant. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pras’ attorney sent legal notifications to the three parties for the defamation suit on claims that a Rolling Stone article called him an “FBI informant.” However, Pras also claims that 50 Cent and Kyrie Irving echoed these claims online, as well.

A jury found Pras guilty of 10 counts last month, earning a widespread reaction from the hip-hop community following testimony that he cooperated with authorities. Fif took to Instagram with a headline that deemed Pras an “FBI informant.” “I knew this fool was a rat! I’m glad I never fvck with this guy,” 50 Cent wrote. Shortly after, Irving tweeted, “A whole FBI Informant was in the Fugees for that long??” Meanwhile, Rolling Stone published an article where they said he is “an informal FBI informant,” which was later changed to claim that he “voluntarily met with FBI agents.”

Pras’ Attorney’s Letter To Rolling Stone

Jonathan Noah Schwartz, the representative for Pras’, said that these claims led to the loss of business deals, which ultimately impacted his ability to generate income. “Labeling a Hip Hop artist such as Michel, the reputation of whom is dependent upon ‘street credibility’ and not being a ‘snitch,’ a ‘government informant’ most certainly tends to subject said Hip Hop artist to hatred, distrust, ridicule, contempt and/or disgrace, along with injury in their trade or profession,” the letter reads.

In addition to Schwartz, David Kenner, Pras’ attorney, also plans to take legal action against Rolling Stone. Kenner’s attorney, Erica Dumas, said that the publication led to viral stories that “harmed the business interests, reputations of Pras and attorney Kenner,” Dumas told the Los Angeles Times. Dumas added that 50 Cent and Kyrie Irving put the lives of Pras and Kenner “at risk” because of their claims online. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the lawsuit. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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