Former Fugees member Pras Michel, currently facing 22 years in prison for his involvement in the 1MDB scandal, may receive a pardon from Donald Trump, according to recent reports.

Photo Credit: Pras Michel for Miami Film Festival / CC by 2.0

Michel was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. These charges stem from his connection to fugitive businessman Jho Low, who allegedly defrauded Malaysia's 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.

His legal team, led by Adam Katz (who previously represented Rudy Giuliani), is currently exploring clemency options. Michel's previous trial garnered attention when his attorney misused AI during closing arguments, leading to claims of incompetent representation in his appeal.

Trump's consideration of the pardon appears connected to recent Justice Department developments. Former public corruption unit head Corey Amundson, who prosecuted Michel, resigned on January 27 following attempted reassignment by the Trump administration. The reassignment was allegedly retaliation for Amundson's involvement in Trump-related investigations.

Interestingly, Trump and Michel have a prior connection. In 1998, Trump made a cameo on Michel's solo album "Ghetto Supastar," leaving a voicemail predicting Michel's future success.

The 1MDB scandal, described by the FBI as their "largest kleptocracy case," has implicated numerous high-profile figures, including a Malaysian prime minister, Goldman Sachs executives, and even attracted attention from Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio through his association with Jho Low.

Related Articles

Previous Articles