Pras Michel

A Rumor Calling Pras Michel An ‘FBI Informant’ Is Sweeping Twitter After He Testified In His Money Laundering Trial

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Social media is often a flashpoint for misinformation and disinformation, and one of the worst offenders is Twitter. A prime example is a rumor that swept the app calling Fugees member Pras Michel an “FBI informant” after his testimony in the federal money laundering case against him last Tuesday.

<em>Rolling Stone reported that Pras made the unusual move to testify in his own defense after consulting with his lawyers and “the universe” according to Mother Jones reporter Dan Friedman. However, in the report, Rolling Stone noted that Pras had met with FBI agents over the course of the investigation into his association with Malaysian financier Jho Low and whether Pras had helped Low, a foreign national, make campaign contributions illegally in the 2012 election. Low is also under investigation — and currently a fugitive — for allegedly stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.

Obviously, this is a complex case and those “hip-hop Twitter” gossip accounts aren’t exactly legal geniuses. But it doesn’t take a genius to extrapolate “FBI informant” from the report — just a dire misunderstanding of the facts of the case. And once there’s a hot take circulating online, it doesn’t take long for it to start circulating, true or not, as long as it’s inflammatory enough.

In hip-hop, the term “informant” carries a lot of baggage, so of course, “Pras is an informant” is one hell of a takeaway.

In reality, Pras is simply on trial because he allegedly took money from Low and put it into Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign and lobbied Donald Trump’s administration to stop investigating Low and extradite Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, an associate of Steve Bannon. Michel said he met with FBI agents to discuss sending Guo back to China but denied doing so on behalf of the Chinese government (Guo fled to the US in 2015 to escape fraud, corruption, and rape charges, according to Mother Jones. Guo sought asylum, claiming to be a whistleblower).

The rumor probably won’t stop circulating now, but here’s yet another reminder that Twitter gossip is not a trustworthy source — especially not now that old emerald mine nepo baby Musk is in charge.

Pras Roasted For Being An FBI Informant

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Pras is getting a lot of flack and jokes online after he admitted that he was an FBI informant. Moreover, the revelation relates to his criminal conspiracy case, where he stood accused of witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China, as well. According to Rolling Stone, the Fugees MC testified in his own federal trial. During that, he admitted to several meetings with FBI agents about China potentially extraditing a dissident. “Pras is testifying in his own defense,” reported Dan Friedman relayed on Twitter. “Told the judge: “After consulting with my attorneys and the universe, I decided that I will testify.”

Furthermore, this case also saw another famous person testify, but this time against Pras, and it was none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. While he’s not involved in this case at all, he detailed his relationships with Pras and with Malaysian businessman Jho Low. For those unaware, he’s the person that the rapper allegedly conspired with to embezzle money from the Malaysian government and to secretly fund Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. What’s more is that the “Zealots” artist was apparently the middle man for many of these operations.

Pras Admits To Being An FBI Informant

Specifically, the court accused him of helping Low put pressure on White House and justice officials that tracked his fraud scheme. In addition, Pras allegedly helped advocate for the Chinese government “securing the return” of a dissident living in the U.S. that developed a relationship with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. While denying his role as an agent of China, he clarified his involvement. “I took it upon myself to report because I thought the FBI should know,” he expressed during his testimony.

After this admission circled online, with the added fact that he reportedly accepted $100 million to engage in these activities, fans reacted with shock and ridicule on social media. Pras faces 22 years in prison if convicted, and the jury deliberated the case starting Monday (April 24). Before the trial, he spoke to Rolling Stone and maintained his innocence. “What benefit would I get trying to break laws?” he told the publication. “It’s not worth it to me. I’m like a pariah now. I’ve got friends who won’t talk to me because they think there’s a satellite in orbit listening to them.” Check out reactions to Pras, the FBI informant, down below and return to HNHH for the latest on the Fugees member.

Fans React To The Case

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Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies For Prosecution In Pras Michel’s Conspiracy Trial

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It has been reported that famed actor Leonardo DiCaprio took the stand and testified against The Fugees member Pras Michel who is accused of participating in a global campaign-finance conspiracy. 

Michel is on trial by himself, but the alleged mastermind of the conspiracy, Malaysian businessman Jho Low who allegedly stole billions of dollars from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, is still on the run.

DiCaprio was on the stand for about an hour, talking about his interactions with Low, who prosecutors said was introduced to the actor by Riza Aziz, the stepson of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. Aziz has also been charged in the scandal.

DiCaprio then spoke about his dealings with Pras, which he testified was at a Fugees concert and adds that Pras possibly could have been an attendee at one of his family’s Thanksgiving dinners, but DiCaprio says that he’s not sure.

DiCaprio was asked to identify Pras in the courtroom, which led to Pras leaning back and waving at the actor.

Pras is accused of helping Low make donations to political campaigns with the stolen money through a series of fake donors and DiCaprio was asked to recall a conversation with Low about making a large contribution to the Democratic party. 

DiCaprio explained, “It was a casual conversation about what party he was in support of, I told him what party I was in support of. And he told me that he, or he and a group, were going to make a significant contribution to the Democratic Party,” he said, noting the donation was around $20 million or $30 million. “I said ‘wow, that’s a lot of money.’” 

DiCaprio spoke about Low offering to fund a movie for him after an extensive background check, DiCaprio’s team gave the actor the green light to make a deal with Low. This led to Low funding The Wolf of Wall Street, which led to DiCaprio shouting out Low while accepting a Golden Globe for “Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Film.” 

The post Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies For Prosecution In Pras Michel’s Conspiracy Trial appeared first on The Source.

Leonardo DiCaprio Testifies Against Pras Michel

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In one of the strangest media crossover events so far this year, Leonardo DiCaprio testified against Pras Michel in the latter’s ongoing conspiracy trial. Moreover, the former Fugees member stands accused of collaborating with Malaysian businessman Jho Low to illegally finance Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, embezzle billions from the Malaysian government, and more. During his testimony, the silver screen star went over his relationship with Low in interesting detail. While Pras pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, Leo is not criminally involved in this case.

Instead, prosecutors likely used him as an example of Low coercing influential people in the States and seeking favor with them for his own personal gain. Before anyone starts speculating, DiCaprio’s testimony does not incriminate him or his collaborators in any way. In the hour-long testimony, the Inception actor said he became friends with Low upon meeting at a birthday party in 2010. Two years later, Low allegedly told him about his plan to donate between $20 million and $30 million to the Democratic Party throughout the 2012 presidential election.

Leonardo DiCaprio & Pras Michel On Opposite Sides Of Courtroom

Not only that, but prosecutors maintain that Low used a film production company called Red Granite Pictures to launder his embezzled money. Furthermore, this relates to Leo because, apparently, they offered to finance his flick The Wolf Of Wall Street. Before accepting, the actor’s legal team and third party collaborators ran financial background checks on the production company. Surprisingly (and clearly incorrectly), everything seemed normal. What’s more is that the 48-year-old even thanked Low during his Golden Globes acceptance speech for Best Actor for his role in the film.

Meanwhile, Leo said that he met Pras once or twice. The first time was during a Fugees concert in the ’90s, whereas he hazily remembered interacting with him on another occasion at DiCaprio’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Funnily enough, the actor recently hung out with Q-Tip courtside at a basketball game, so his hip-hop roots run deep. Regardless, the rapper stands accused of making illegal campaign contributions with Low in 2012, failing to register as an agent of China’s government, and witness tampering. With all that in mind, log back into HNHH for the latest on Leonardo DiCaprio and Pras Michel.

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Pras Michel Conspiracy Trial Begins

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The trial involving Pras Michel began on Monday (March 27) in Washington D.C., more specifically its jury selection. Moreover, according to an NPR report, the Fugees member faces various charges such conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. For those unaware, an investigation into potential embezzlement of millions to help Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign found Pras at the center around December of 2018. Since then, he faced other legal woes for failing to pay child support, but a broader federal case is now underway.

Furthermore, his legal troubles actually caused the cancellation of the Fugees’ reunion tour back in August of 2022. To elaborate on the charges, apparently the New Jersey native schemed to reimburse attendees of an Obama campaign fundraiser for $40,000 using foreign investment for ticket costs. In addition, authorities accused him of threatening those who would report such a plot to officials. Not only that, but he also allegedly helped Malaysian billionaire Jho Low through a secret lobbying campaign. This was to pressure U.S. justice and White House officials into dismissing the existing fraud scheme.

Pras Michel’s Trial For Conspiracy Begins Jury Selection Process

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 13: Pras is seen on December 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images)

Also, the court accused him of aiding the Chinese government “secure the return” of a dissident residing in the States and developing close ties to Steve Bannon and the Trump administration. Since Low is reportedly living in China as a fugitive, the 50-year-old MC faces these charges alone. According to his legal team, Pras acted in good faith and in the interests of the U.S. when meeting with a Chinese minister in 2017. While federal authorities reportedly offered Pras a plea deal, he then rejected it and went on to plead not guilty to these crimes.

“Defendant continues to deny he was acting as an agent for China and denies he willfully and knowingly acted as a secret agent under the direction and control of China when he approached the FBI,” defense lawyers stated this month in court documents. Meanwhile, if convicted on all charges, Michel could land in prison for 22 years. For the latest updates on Pras and his legal case, check back in with HNHH.

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Fugees Reportedly Canceled Their Reunion Tour Because Pras Was Indicted For Money Laundering

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These days, it seems like rappers are always in some sort of legal trouble, much of it pertaining to their lyrics if not accusations of legitimate criminal activity. But Pras Michael, 1/3 of ’90s icons Fugees, is currently facing trial for charges that might very well be completely unprecedented in the rap business. A new report from Puck.News via Consequence detailing the case seems to also suggest that Michel’s indictment was actually one of the key reasons behind the cancelation of the trio’s 2021 reunion tour — which they’d originally attributed to logistical issues caused by COVID-19.

As reported in 2019, Pras was indicted on charges of conspiracy, making a false statement, and two counts of falsifying records after making contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign on behalf of Malaysian businessman, Jho Low. Low — who is currently a fugitive from his own home government — is notorious for stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereign wealth fund, using the money to fund a lavish lifestyle that included partying with celebrities like Michel, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Paris Hilton and financing Hollywood films such as The Wolf Of Street.

Authorities allege that Pras set up bank accounts to help Low move money into the States in order to influence officials overseeing the criminal investigation into Low’s misuse of 1MDB funds. According to Puck.News, the Justice Department told Pras not to leave the country, which effectively put the kibosh on the Fugees’ plans for a world tour. Pras’ trial is set for November 4 in Washington, DC, and his defense — led by David Kenner, who successfully defended Snoop Dogg from a murder charge in 1996 — will argue that the rapper has been unfairly singled out while others are being let off the hook.

He also maintains that his old entertainment lawyer, whom he’d consulted on the involved business dealings, was also working for the Department of Justice at the time. That old lawyer, George Higginbotham, is now a witness in the trial after being indicted himself, pleading guilty to a lesser charge, and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. Pras’ defense now argues that because Higginbotham did not advise Pras to register as a foreign agent, despite consulting on these dealings, the case should be dismissed.

If the government can prove that Pras really did work for Low to influence the 1MDB investigation, and the jury doesn’t eat his excuse that his DOJ-employed legal counsel should have advised him to register as a foreign agent, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Fugees Cancel Planned Reunion Tour Due To Covid-19

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The Fugees

Three months after the Fugees postponed their much-anticipated reunion tour, the group announced Friday that the tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album, The Score, is now officially canceled. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel took to Instagram to share a statement that said the touring condition caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic […]

Lauryn Hill Initiated The Fugees Reunion, According To Pras

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The Fugees reunion is off to a great start, with a well-received comeback show at New York’s Pier 17 as part of the Global Citizen Live concert series and a tour planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the trio’s classic 1996 album The Score. Now, thanks to the sometimes overlooked group member Pras, fans know who to thank for the return of Fugees: Ms. Lauryn Hill, who apparently was the one who reached out to her former bandmates during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

In an interview about the reunion with Billboard‘s Nadine Graham, Pras said, “It was kinda initiated by Ms. Hill, but the idea was floating around since last year. But you know last year with the pandemic, nobody really knew which way the world was going. It happened organically. She reached out to Wyclef and they reached out to me. I said, ‘Listen, if it feels right, let’s see what happens.’ I think the culture really needed it, wanted it, so we’re just giving them what they want.”

However, with regard to whether the crew would be turning their reunion tour into a comeback album, he was a little more cagey. “I’ma say it like this to you,” he replied. “Last night, it really felt good.”

You can watch Fugees’ reunion performance of “Ready Or Not” above.